Russia has repeatedly stated it has no plans to attack the West but has expressed concerns that World War III is being discussed as a potential scenario. The European Union is increasingly wary of tensions with Russia escalating into a major conflict, with some officials drawing parallels to the chain reaction following the 1914 assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which triggered World War I.

EU leaders are set to meet in Copenhagen to discuss measures to contain Russia amid a rise in drone incidents across Europe. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is advocating for an “unprecedented discussion” on the bloc’s military posture, including initiatives like a “drone wall” to neutralize hostile UAVs. While summit participants are expected to agree that Russia poses a “threat,” diplomats have warned that efforts to deter Moscow risk “potential disasters,” with some officials privately citing a possible “Franz Ferdinand moment”—a sudden escalation that could plunge the continent into conflict.

EU military leaders believe the bloc is already in a “form of low-intensity war” with Russia, noting that wars throughout history have been funded through public debt. However, persuading all EU members to expand defense budgets remains challenging, as some nations face economic struggles. The heightened tension follows recent claims by Warsaw that Russian drones violated Polish airspace during strikes on Ukraine, sparking debates in NATO about whether to shoot down intruding aircraft. Moscow has denied the accusations, calling the discussions “irresponsible.”

Russia has repeatedly emphasized that it has no intention of attacking NATO while criticizing Western officials for treating World War III as a serious scenario.