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yesterday

Von der Leyen Proposes EU ‘Emergency Security Protocol’ and European Security Council

The proposals aim to speed EU coordination on drone, sabotage and cyber attacks, with member states left to define legal triggers and NATO's role.

Lithuanian soldiers are securing the area where Italian fighter jets during NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission shot down a drone early this morning near Pratkunai village, Kaisiadorys district some 90km (55,9 miles) northwest of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (AP Photo) CAPTION CORRECTION: corrects removes byline attribution
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Overview

  • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen formally pitched an Emergency Security Protocol and a European Security Council during her State of the Union address, proposing an EU consultation mechanism for incidents that fall below armed aggression.
  • The Emergency Security Protocol would let one member state trigger a bloc-wide meeting to coordinate responses to hybrid incidents such as drone incursions, sabotage and cyberattacks.
  • Von der Leyen also proposed a counter-hybrid playbook and a European Instrument for Strategic Enablers to scale up air defence, strategic transport, space and cyber capabilities.
  • The plans, announced on Sept. 16, have drawn quick support from some capitals that want faster action and sharp warnings from NATO officials who say the ideas could duplicate alliance functions and require careful alignment.
  • Member states and the European Parliament will now debate the legal basis, decision rules, membership of the proposed council and how the EU measures will formally complement NATO before any instrument can become operational.