Overview

• The European Commission was asked to keep refining a multi‑layer system to detect, intercept and neutralize drones, though France and Germany voiced skepticism and talks will continue ahead of a late‑October European Council.
• A plan to leverage about €140 billion in frozen Russian assets for a new loan to Ukraine won no endorsement, with Belgium pressing legal concerns as Brussels pledged to intensify work on risk‑sharing.
• Ukraine confirmed receipt of a €4 billion EU loan sourced from revenues tied to frozen Russian assets under a G7 mechanism to support its budget, defense and recovery needs.
• Hungary blocked moves to change EU accession rules that could speed Ukraine’s membership bid, and other states also balked, as President Volodymyr Zelensky urged unity, tougher sanctions and offered Ukraine’s counter‑drone expertise.
• Recent drone disruptions in Denmark and reported incursions over Poland and Estonia drove urgency, and French forces boarded a Benin‑flagged tanker suspected of links to the Danish incidents, while defense firms like Saab, BAE Systems and Rheinmetall said they stand ready but warned of technical and procurement hurdles.