France, Germany, Italy, Poland and UK vow bigger NATO role
Defence ministers from the E5 group said after Paris talks that Europe must take on a greater share of its own security while still relying on Washington.
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Defence ministers from Europe's five leading NATO powers said on Monday they were ready to take on a bigger share of the continent's security, while still treating the United States as a vital ally.
France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Britain, known together as the E5 group, met in Paris and agreed that Europe needed to carry more of the load within the alliance. Washington remained essential to a strong and credible NATO, the five said in a joint statement, adding that they intended to coordinate any changes closely with the US and other allies.
French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said the plan was to build "a stronger Europe within an equally stronger NATO", developed in full coordination with Washington. The next E5 meeting is scheduled for Rome in March 2027.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who joined the talks, called for continued modernisation of European forces. Poland sent deputy defence minister Pawel Zalewski in place of his minister; he said he expected Washington to coordinate any reduction of its European troop numbers with allies to avoid gaps in NATO's defences.
The Pentagon announced in May that it would pull about 5,000 troops out of Germany over six to 12 months, cutting the roughly 36,000-strong US force there by about 15%.
The five ministers also reaffirmed backing for Ukraine but unveiled no new money or weapons. Britain's Wes Streeting said allied support would continue for as long as it takes, pointing to a Russian threat unseen since the Cold War ended, while stressing that none of the five wanted war with Russia or had any quarrel with its people.
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What we know
- Defence ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Britain met in Paris on Monday.
- The E5 group pledged to take on greater responsibility for European security while still relying on the US as an "indispensable ally."
- The next E5 meeting will be held in Rome in March 2027.
- The ministers reaffirmed support for Ukraine but announced no new financial or military aid.
Why it matters for Europe
The meeting comes as the United States has signalled it wants European allies to take on more of the burden of their own defence, including by trimming its troop presence in Germany. The E5 format groups the five European countries that provide most of NATO's conventional military weight, making their joint commitment to "greater responsibility" a signal of how the alliance's internal balance may shift.
The ministers' reaffirmation of support for Ukraine, even without new aid pledges, matters because European backing for Kyiv has faced growing strain as the war drags on and Washington presses for a peace settlement. Continued allied unity on Ukraine, alongside closer coordination with the US on defence planning, is central to how Europe manages both the war and its own long-term security.
Sources
Reported by 5 reports from 5 independent outlets in 3 countries.
- France 24: Europe's top NATO powers pledge greater defence role, reaffirm US alliance
- Euronews Albania: Fuqitë kryesore të NATO-s në Evropë premtojnë një rol më të madh mbrojtës: SHBA-ja mbetet aleat i domosdoshëm
- Gazeta Express: Fuqitë kryesore të NATO-s në Evropë premtojnë një rol më të madh mbrojtës: SHBA-ja mbetet aleat i domosdoshëm
- Diena: Francija, Vācija, Itālija, Polija un Lielbritānija gatavas lielākai atbildībai NATO ietvaros
- Apollo.lv: Piecas Eiropas lielvalstis gatavas lielākai atbildībai NATO ietvaros
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Questions and answers
- What is the E5 group?
- It is the informal grouping of defence ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Britain, Europe's five leading NATO military powers.
- Did the E5 announce new aid for Ukraine?
- No. The ministers reaffirmed their support for Ukraine but did not announce any new financial or operational assistance.
- Why is the US reducing its troop presence in Germany?
- The Pentagon said in May it would withdraw about 5,000 of the roughly 36,000 US troops stationed in Germany over six to 12 months.
This article was written with AI assistance from 5 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.