COPENHAGEN (Oct. 3, 2025) — Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said Europe’s security depends on strengthening defenses in border states, stressing that the eastern frontier must be fortified with new technology and political unity.
“The drone wall is a priority,” Michal told reporters at the informal European Council and European Political Community meeting in Copenhagen. “The political support from our allies for strengthening the eastern border is very strong, and we have many supporters. At the next European Council, it would be necessary to make concrete decisions and set clear deadlines.”
Michal said Estonia aims to have its border systems fully developed by 2027, with the first measures rolling out next year. “All of this requires the solidarity of the European Union and financial contributions,” he added.
The prime minister also called for closer cooperation on defense procurement within NATO plans “to ensure faster deliveries and better prices.”
Turning to Ukraine, Michal pledged that Estonia and the EU would continue backing Kyiv against Russia’s aggression. “The European Commission has put forward proposals for using frozen assets to aid Ukraine, which makes clear that Russia must pay for its aggression. Even dictator Putin cannot wage war without money,” he said.
Michal urged tougher sanctions on Russia, including restrictions on liquefied natural gas imports, measures against the shadow fleet, banking transaction bans and curbs on tourism services. He added that many of the same restrictions should extend to Belarus.
On enlargement, he said Ukraine and Moldova “must move forward quickly” with accession to the EU.
During the Copenhagen summit, Michal co-chaired a roundtable on security and resilience with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the NATO and OSCE secretaries-general.
Michal said Ukraine’s battlefield experience with drones is already helping Europe. “Estonia is not only supporting Ukraine — Ukraine is also supporting us with its drone warfare experience, which makes it possible to counter threats more cheaply and effectively,” he said.
He added that hybrid threats and disinformation also pose challenges. “We need to strengthen cooperation and increase our capacity to prevent and counter crimes that undermine the self-confidence of our societies, such as recruitment and influence activities conducted online. By acting together, we are protecting both our security and our democratic values.”
