Defence ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Britain met in Paris and pledged to increase Europe’s share of responsibility for continental security while maintaining close coordination with Washington, the five countries said on Monday.
The group — commonly referred to as the E5 — emphasised that any move to deepen European defence capabilities would be pursued in cooperation with the United States. The ministers released a joint statement after talks in Paris setting out a coordinated ambition to strengthen Europe within NATO.
“We are determined to work in close coordination with the United States and all Allies in order to implement this concrete ambition,” the E5 said. “The United States is and will remain an indispensable Ally, and continued United States engagement in European security is essential to a strong and credible NATO.”
Meeting outcomes and participants
- The ministers agreed Europe “must assume greater responsibility for its own security” and to shoulder a larger burden within NATO.
- French minister Catherine Vautrin said the five countries would work towards “a stronger Europe within an equally stronger NATO” and develop a coordinated plan in “full transparency” with Washington.
- European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas attended the meeting and urged continued modernisation of forces and capabilities.
- Poland’s defence minister was represented by his deputy, Pawel Zalewski.
The E5 did not announce fresh financial or operational assistance for Ukraine but reiterated their commitment to support Kyiv. The group set its next meeting for Rome in March 2027.
Context: US presence and European defence posture
Participants discussed their plans against a backdrop of recent US force posture changes in Europe. The Paris statement noted that coordination with Washington was essential as NATO adapted, following the Pentagon’s announcement in May of plans to reduce troop levels in Germany. That Pentagon announcement said roughly 5,000 troops would be withdrawn from Germany out of about 36,000 stationed there, a move whose timing and implementation had surprised some European partners when it was first disclosed.
In Paris, ministers portrayed the E5 initiative as complementary to NATO rather than an alternative, underlining that enhanced European capabilities should reinforce an alliance that continues to rely on sustained American engagement.
| E5 country | Notable detail from meeting |
|---|---|
| France | Hosted talks; Catherine Vautrin outlined coordinated plan with Washington |
| Germany | Participated in E5 statement on burden‑sharing |
| Italy | Member of E5 pledge |
| Poland | Represented by deputy Pawel Zalewski |
| Britain | Joined reaffirmation of US as indispensable ally |
For Indian defence and strategic observers, the E5 declaration signals renewed focus in Europe on capability development and burden‑sharing inside NATO while explicitly keeping US engagement central. The ministers’ choice to craft the plan “in full transparency” with Washington indicates an effort to manage allied expectations as Europe seeks greater strategic autonomy within a transatlantic framework.
