Von der Leyen heads to Lithuania for Baltic drone crisis talks

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is travelling to Lithuania for emergency discussions on drone incursions into Baltic airspace. The visit follows growing alarm from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania over repeated violations of their airspace. The talks are expected to focus on coordinated responses to the escalating drone threat.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to visit Lithuania for high-level talks addressing the growing crisis of drone incursions into Baltic airspace. The visit comes in response to mounting concern from all three Baltic states — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — who have repeatedly raised the alarm over what they describe as a serious and escalating threat to their sovereignty.

The Baltic nations have been sounding warnings about unauthorised aerial activity over their territories, with incidents raising questions about the origin and intent of the drones involved. The pattern of incursions has prompted calls for a stronger and more unified European response to protect the region's airspace.

Von der Leyen's trip to Vilnius signals that the European Union is treating the matter as a priority. Senior EU officials are expected to discuss both immediate defensive measures and longer-term strategic frameworks to address airspace security across the Baltic region.

Estonia, along with its Baltic neighbours, has been among the most vocal advocates for stronger EU and NATO engagement on the issue. The three countries share concerns about their geographic vulnerability and have called for enhanced surveillance and enforcement capabilities to deter further violations.