Geopolitics

“Member state leaders also prioritised support for countries on the eastern flank, whose airspace has recently been violated by Russia and Belarus. However, they declined to give direct backing to the four flagship projects proposed in the communication, including the European Drone Defence Initiative and Eastern Flank Watch. […] 

The exclusion of flagship projects from the European Council conclusions reflects resistance from Western and Southern European states to involving the EU in initiatives aimed at strengthening the eastern flank. Representatives from countries including France and Germany also argued that flagship projects would hinder efforts to concentrate on capability-building coalitions. While provisions on the need to enhance air and counter-drone defence could facilitate the implementation of these projects […] they also dilute their core purpose of countering destabilising actions undertaken by Russia and Belarus.”

“Member state leaders also prioritised support for countries on the eastern flank, whose airspace has recently been violated by Russia and Belarus. However, they declined to give direct backing to the four flagship projects proposed in the communication, including the European Drone Defence Initiative and Eastern Flank Watch. […] 

The exclusion of flagship projects from the European Council conclusions reflects resistance from Western and Southern European states to involving the EU in initiatives aimed at strengthening the eastern flank. Representatives from countries including France and Germany also argued that flagship projects would hinder efforts to concentrate on capability-building coalitions. While provisions on the need to enhance air and counter-drone defence could facilitate the implementation of these projects […] they also dilute their core purpose of countering destabilising actions undertaken by Russia and Belarus.”
https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2025-10-27/european-council-greenlights-greater-eu-involvement-strengthening