At a high-level UN Security Council session on Ukraine, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who is chairing the council, accused Russia of using winter and basic needs as "weapons of mass destruction" targeting civilians. He stated that Russia is "lashing out at Europe in its entirety" through alleged targeted killings, sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation, citing repeated airspace violations involving multiple European countries including Romania, Poland, Moldova, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Finland. Barrot warned that Russia's actions are weakening the UN's authority and stressed that Ukraine is ready for peace but has met only with "Moscow's stubbornness."
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen echoed these concerns, stating that "if Russia stops fighting, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, it will be the very end of Ukraine." He condemned all attacks violating international humanitarian law and warned of a "dangerous spiral of escalation" as civilian infrastructure and energy facilities are targeted ahead of winter. Rasmussen also highlighted attacks on Ukrainian ports and grain infrastructure, which threaten global food supplies, and cited Germany's attribution of a "failed hybrid attack" at Leipzig-Halle airport to Russia as an example of "reckless and dangerous acts" affecting Europe. Denmark pledged continued financial and security assistance to Ukraine, support for reconstruction, humanitarian aid, and increased pressure on Russia through tough EU sanctions.
All three foreign ministers linked the war in Ukraine to broader security risks across Europe and called for sustained diplomatic and economic pressure on Moscow to bring it to the negotiating table. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at the same UN Security Council meeting, stated that Russia would not suspend its "special military operation" for any negotiations with Ukraine, citing "bitter experience."
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was set to address the UN General Assembly after Russia pounded Kyiv with drone strikes that killed at least two people and injured 22, hitting railway infrastructure, warehouses, and fuel stations. Zelenskyy had discussed a potential ceasefire on energy-related targets and asked for increased supplies of US Patriot air defense missiles with US President Donald Trump. French President Emmanuel Macron also discussed initiatives for a moratorium on energy sector attacks with Trump. The Kremlin stated there were no prerequisites for peace talks, although Russia remains open to them.
European officials are increasingly concerned about potential Russian escalation beyond Ukraine, including covert operations and possible military actions against NATO countries. These have included drone flights, airspace violations, cyberattacks, and sabotage, often difficult to trace back to Russia. German officials blamed Moscow for explosive-laden drones found at Leipzig airport in August, which could have caused significant casualties. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of Moscow's plans for "strikes using drones and missiles on countries supporting Ukraine," aiming to weaken NATO's unity and its Article 5 collective defense pledge. NATO and EU capitals are reportedly stepping up efforts to draw up contingency plans. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also noted a "coordinated series of kinetic campaigns" by Russia, involving arson, assassination plans, railway vandalism, and electronic interference.
