In May 2026, the European Union faced escalating hybrid threats as drone incursions occurred in the Baltic region, raising concerns about the security of EU airspace. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that current security measures "are not sufficiently secure" and called for "a calm, decisive and proportionate response."

The EU and NATO members, including Germany and Baltic states, are debating the appropriate level of response to these incursions amid tensions with Russia, which is implicated in regional security challenges. This dispute is critical as it involves balancing effective defense against hybrid threats with avoiding unnecessary escalation in a geopolitically sensitive area.

The EU's next steps on security measures and diplomatic responses remain under consideration.