The aircraft carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had to make an emergency landing as it experienced apparent Russian interference that disrupted its GPS services on approach to a Bulgarian airport on Sunday, August 31, during her tour of several European countries.
The European Commission confirmed the incident, first reported by the Financial Times on Monday, September 1, stating that the plane landed “without serious incident” at its intended destination.
Von der Leyen emergency landing caused by GPS interference
Bulgarian authorities have informed Brussels that they suspect Russia was behind this blatant interference. “We can confirm that GPS interference occurred, but thankfully the plane landed safely,” said EU spokesperson Arianna Podesta. She stressed that “this incident shows the urgency of the president’s current trip” to EU member states bordering Russia and Belarus.
“We are well aware that threats and intimidation are a common component of Russia’s hostile actions. This will only strengthen our unwavering commitment to bolstering our defence capabilities and support for Ukraine,” Podesta said.
Von der Leyen began her tour on Friday, visiting the seven EU member states bordering Russia and Belarus: Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania. The trip follows a Russian drone attack on Thursday that caused material damage to the EU Delegation’s offices in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Heightened tensions as von der Leyen visits front line countries with Russia
The German politician says she wants to express solidarity with countries neighbouring Russia and to discuss progress in building a stronger European defence industry, particularly through joint defence initiatives. During her tour, which began in Latvia on Friday and will conclude in Romania on Monday, September 1, von der Leyen is scheduled to meet with heads of state, government officials, defence forces, and military personnel to reaffirm the EU’s support for member states facing the challenges of sharing borders with Russia and Belarus.
Sabre-rattling on both sides has increased in recent weeks with talk of increased military spending in various EU countries, the unfettered rearming of Germany (something frowned upon since the First and Second World Wars), the extra promotion of jobs in the armed services and military training across Europe, and investment in hospitals in France specifically focused on treating war wounded.
