Brussels reinforced collective defence quietly, even as officials monitor regional tensions and prepare further briefings on defence projects and NATO coordination.
In the context of threats from Russia against the Baltic states, the European Commission emphasizes the principle: an attack on any EU member is considered an attack on the entire bloc. These words were spoken at a briefing in Brussels, where European Commission spokesperson Tom Reynier spoke.
The spokesperson did not name specific threats, but confirmed that similar statements had appeared in the media, and that responses from individual countries in the region have occurred.
“We have already clearly stated that an attack on one member state is an attack on the European Union as a whole. And we have also made protecting our member states and protecting the entire EU a top priority in our four main (defense) projects”
– European Commission spokesperson
Reynier added that the European Commission continues to monitor developments closely.
In response to questions about the agenda of the planned meeting between EU defense and space commissioner Andrius Kubilius and the NATO forces commander in Europe, Alexus Grinkevich, the spokesperson said that there is no information at present, but after the meeting a corresponding statement will be released. He also stressed that the EU’s attention is focused on four main defense projects: the Drone Defense Initiative, the Eastern Flank Guard, the European Anti-Air Shield, and the European Space Shield.
Additionally, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued threats to the Baltic states, accusing them of allegedly allowing Ukrainian drones to use their airspace to strike Russian ports on the Baltic Sea. According to Andriy Kovalenko of the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, at the Baltic port of Ust-Luga the defense forces destroyed at least 30% of the oil storage tanks.