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Irish Police Investigate Drone Sightings During Zelensky Visit

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Irish police, An Garda Síochána, have launched an investigation after several drones were detected over Irish skies on the night Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Dublin for a one-day official visit with his wife, Olena Zelenska. The sightings coincided with his late Monday night arrival at Dublin Airport.

The Special Detective Unit (SDU) is leading the probe, working alongside the Defence Forces and international security partners. Crew aboard the Irish naval vessel LÉ William Butler Yeats reported seeing multiple unidentified drones near Howth, over the Irish Sea, around the same time as Zelensky’s arrival. Senior Irish officials, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, have been briefed, and the matter will be discussed at a National Security Council meeting later this month.

While Martin praised the security measures during Zelensky’s visit, he noted that drones have become a growing concern across Europe since the onset of the Ukraine war. He emphasized that any review will be thorough and declined to comment on possible Russian involvement until investigations are complete.

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Poland Shuts Last Russian Consulate, Blames Moscow for Railway Sabotage

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Poland announced on Wednesday that it will close Russia’s last remaining consulate on its territory, escalating its response to a railway explosion that Warsaw has blamed on Moscow. The blast, which occurred over the weekend on the Warsaw-Lublin line leading to the Ukrainian border, was allegedly carried out by two Ukrainians working with Russian intelligence. Polish authorities say the suspects fled to Belarus, a close ally of Russia.

Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the closure of the Russian consulate in Gdansk is the first step, following earlier closures of Russian consulates in Krakow and Poznan in response to similar sabotage concerns. Calling the railway incident “an act of state terrorism,” Sikorski added that Poland would also pursue non-diplomatic measures. Moscow, which denies any involvement, accused Poland of “Russophobia” and indicated it would restrict Poland’s diplomatic presence in Russia.

Warsaw is now urging its EU partners to curb the movement of Russian diplomats within the Schengen zone, warning that further actions may follow. Poland and other EU states have repeatedly accused Russia and Belarus of destabilizing the region, including by fueling migration at the borders. Polish intelligence officials say several additional people have been detained in connection with the blast, amid a wider surge in sabotage, arson and cyberattacks across Europe since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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Belgium Ramps Up Drone Defences After Airport Disruptions

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Belgium is urgently working to strengthen its drone defence systems following sightings that caused temporary shutdowns at Brussels’ Zaventem Airport, affecting around 3,000 passengers. Drones were also spotted near a Belgian military base, prompting concern over growing threats to both civilian and defence infrastructure across Europe. Support has already come from Germany, which is providing anti-drone technology.

Airlines including Brussels Airlines suffered major operational and financial disruptions, with flights cancelled or diverted, and emergency arrangements required for stranded travellers. The carrier said drones are a “new threat”, and even short disruptions at major airports have significant ripple effects.

European officials increasingly suspect Russia’s involvement in recent airspace incursions across the region, though no evidence has been publicly confirmed. Analysts say such actions may be aimed at testing European security and undermining support for Ukraine, particularly as the EU considers using frozen Russian assets to fund a major aid package for Kyiv.

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Hungary’s Orban Calls for Ceasefire During Visit to Kyiv

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Viktor Orban arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday for an unannounced visit shortly after assuming the role of rotating president of the European Union. While in Kyiv, the Hungarian prime minister suggested that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could expedite negotiations to end the ongoing conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Orban, known for his critical stance on Western support for Ukraine and close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has not visited Ukraine in 12 years but has met with Putin several times. During his joint appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, their body language was notably reserved, and neither took questions from the media.

Orban previously delayed the agreement on a €50 billion EU aid package meant to support Ukraine against Russia. However, his new role as head of the European Council for the next six months grants him significant influence as a European figurehead. He emphasized the need to resolve past disagreements and focus on future cooperation during his discussions in Ukraine.

Zelensky stressed the importance of maintaining Europe’s support for Ukraine and fostering meaningful, mutually beneficial cooperation among European neighbors. Orban highlighted the necessity of collaboration and proposed a ceasefire to hasten peace negotiations with Russia, expressing gratitude for Zelensky’s candid responses.

Orban stated that his visit underscored the importance of peace not just for Ukraine but for all of Europe, acknowledging the war’s profound impact on European security. Zelensky did not publicly respond to Orban’s ceasefire comments but later posted on X, emphasizing the significance of European unity and collective action. He described their discussion as focused on achieving a just, lasting, and fair peace.

Many Ukrainians view a ceasefire as potentially solidifying Russia’s control over seized territories and prefer negotiations from a position of strength. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed openness to working with all parties to solve problems, acknowledging the challenges but emphasizing the potential for tangible results.

During Orban’s visit, he and Zelensky also addressed bilateral issues, including the status of the 100,000 ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine. Orban expressed optimism about progress on the rights of ethnic Hungarians and wished Ukraine success. The EU had initiated membership talks for Ukraine just before Hungary assumed the EU Council Presidency.

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