IRIA News

7 minute read

The leaders of Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom met in Berlin on June 24, 2026, to coordinate their positions ahead of a critical NATO summit in Ankara next month, reaffirming support for Ukraine.

The meeting brought together German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer under the E5 format, which groups Europe’s largest military powers and defense spenders. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte joined the discussions virtually from Washington.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is in the U.S., where he met President Donald Trump in efforts to ease transatlantic tensions ahead of the Ankara summit. The meeting focused on strengthening NATO unity, increasing European defense contributions, and maintaining support for Ukraine.

The gathering comes at a pivotal moment for European security as NATO members prepare for the alliance summit in Ankara on July 7-8 amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, uncertainty over future U.S. military commitments in Europe, and growing pressure for European countries to assume greater responsibility for their own defense.

Leaders focus on NATO summit preparations

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the five leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Euro-Atlantic security and the transatlantic relationship while recognizing the continued importance of the United States within NATO.

The leaders agreed to work collectively toward a successful NATO summit in Ankara and emphasized the need to build what they described as “a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO.”

A central theme of the discussions was the future of NATO’s European pillar. European leaders increasingly view stronger defense cooperation and increased military spending as necessary to ensure the alliance remains effective while reducing dependence on American military capabilities.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said participating countries had committed to significantly increasing defense spending and coordinating closely on major military challenges, including long-range weapons, air defense systems and AI.

A strong NATO is our shared security. pic.twitter.com/6pG40JDLSt

— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) June 24, 2026

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said European countries must continue pursuing a stronger European component within the Atlantic Alliance while maintaining transatlantic unity.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also stressed that European unity and transatlantic cooperation remain mutually reinforcing rather than competing objectives.

Support for Ukraine Remains a Priority

The E5 leaders reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression and agreed that assistance to Kyiv should remain a major priority at the upcoming NATO summit.

The joint statement pledged continued military, economic, and political support for Ukraine, including sanctions and economic pressure on Russia, support for Ukraine’s energy resilience, and deeper cooperation through NATO initiatives.

The leaders also reaffirmed support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine while backing proposals for direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia with active participation from both Europe and the United States.

Speaking after the meeting, Starmer said additional sanctions and military support for Ukraine would be critical in increasing pressure on Moscow and strengthening Kyiv’s position.

The leaders also expressed support for further efforts to bring Ukraine closer to NATO, emphasizing Kyiv’s contribution to Euro-Atlantic security.

E5 Format Gains Importance

The E5 framework was established in 2024 to bring together Europe’s largest military powers and defense spenders in order to coordinate support for Ukraine, strengthen European defense cooperation, and address long-term security challenges.

The format has become increasingly important as European governments seek to develop common positions on security matters and coordinate responses to emerging threats.

The meeting also reflected efforts to broaden European security consultations beyond the previously used E3 format involving Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

Earlier this month, Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met to discuss security guarantees and military assistance for Ukraine. The exclusion of Italy and Poland from those talks generated criticism from both governments and highlighted growing demands for broader representation in European security decision-making.

Poland has argued that its role as a key logistical hub supporting Ukraine’s defense effort makes its participation essential in any future negotiations or security arrangements involving Kyiv.

At the same time, some European officials continue to view Germany, France, and the United Kingdom as the core group best positioned to engage with Russia due to their military capabilities, intelligence resources, and strategic influence.

European Defense Cooperation Expands

Defense industrial cooperation featured prominently during the Berlin meeting. The leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration in key areas, including air defense systems, unmanned technologies, artificial intelligence, and long-range strike capabilities.

They also pledged to accelerate joint European development and procurement projects designed to improve interoperability and close critical capability gaps across NATO’s European members.

The joint statement emphasized the importance of strengthening Europe’s defense industrial base and increasing military readiness at a greater speed and scale.

European leaders also highlighted the need to mobilize investment and financial mechanisms to support emerging defense technologies and enhance military resilience.

These initiatives form part of broader European efforts to improve defense capabilities amid concerns that the United States may gradually reduce its military footprint on the continent.

Trump-Rutte Meeting

The E5 meeting took place as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte engaged with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the Ankara summit. Trump has repeatedly urged European allies to increase defense spending and contribute more to collective security.

The leaders acknowledged the United States’ continued importance to NATO while emphasizing that Europe must become a stronger security provider within the alliance.

.@SecGenNATO: "I really want to make clear how important it is what you are doing on Iran. This is, first of all, about the nuclear capability Iran was basically getting its hands on—and it would have been a threat to the region. It would've been a threat to the whole world." pic.twitter.com/LhDJF1Manr

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 24, 2026

Macron said recent diplomatic engagement suggested that European and American interests were becoming more closely aligned, particularly regarding Ukraine and broader security challenges.

Merz similarly stressed that stronger European military capabilities would contribute to a more balanced and sustainable transatlantic partnership.

Iran and Regional Security Discussed

The leaders also addressed developments in the Middle East following the recent U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding aimed at reducing regional tensions.

In their statement, the E5 leaders welcomed the agreement and described it as an opportunity to promote regional stability and support the global economy.

They reiterated that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and emphasized the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The leaders also confirmed their willingness to participate in a proposed UK-France-led multinational military mission aimed at supporting maritime security and helping restore confidence in international shipping routes, subject to national constitutional requirements and conditions on the ground.

Looking Ahead to Ankara Summit

The Berlin meeting underscored growing European efforts to coordinate security policy at a time of significant geopolitical uncertainty.

With the NATO summit in Ankara approaching, European leaders are seeking to demonstrate unity on support for Ukraine, increase defense spending, strengthen military cooperation, and define a larger European role within the alliance.

The discussions highlighted a shared view among Europe’s leading military powers that the continent must be prepared to assume greater responsibility for its own security while preserving the transatlantic partnership that has underpinned European defense for decades.