European Union leaders ‘to be protected by snipers and drones’ amid tightened security

DRONES will be deployed along with thousands of police, soldiers and snipers to protect European leaders as they celebrate the EU’s 60th anniversary on Saturday, according to reports. The terror attack on London is understood to have led Italian authorities to beef up security for the summit in Rome.

Five marches and rallies – including an anti-EUprotest – are set to take place in Italy over the weekend.

The number of police in attendance has been raised from 3,000 to 5,000, along with 1,000 soldiers – including snipers – and a fleet of Italian air force drones, according to The Times. Theresa May will not be attending the EU celebration this weekend as she prepares Britain’s official intent to leave the Brussels bloc.

The London terror attack has reportedly shaken European leaders as Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, warned Britain should not to try to use security co-operation to bargain for better trade deals or divide the 27 other nations.

GETTY

The number of police in attendance has been raised from 3,000 to 5,000

Mr Barnier said: “Unity is the first condition for reaching an agreement in the negotiations.

“It is of course in our interest. But it is also— and I want to say this to our British partners — in the UK’s interest. Because, at the end of the day, we will both need — you and us — a united Europe to reach a deal.”

Earlier Mrs May hinted in a speech laying out her Brexit vision that Britain’s strength in security matters could serve as a bargaining chip.

GETTY

EU leaders are heading to the Italian capital to celebrate 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome

Rob Wainwright, the director of Europol, revealed a number of EU nations wanted assurances that “British expertise and leadership is not lost” after the country triggers Article 50 as “the UK is a very important partner in the security field”.

It comes as Russia’s president Vladimir Putin called for a unified, international response to defeat terrorism.

He said: “Countering the terrorist threat requires real unification of efforts among all members of the international community.”