The five leading European members of NATO said Monday they were prepared to assume “greater responsibilities” within the alliance while continuing to regard the United States as an “indispensable ally.”
Defense ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom, collectively known as the E5, made the commitment following talks in Paris, emphasizing that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security and shoulder a larger share of the alliance’s defense burden.
“Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security,” the ministers said in a joint statement.
“We are determined to work in close coordination with the United States and all allies to implement this concrete ambition,” they added.
The ministers stressed that closer European defense cooperation would not come at the expense of transatlantic relations.
“The United States is and will remain an indispensable ally, and the continued commitment of the United States to European security is essential for a strong and credible NATO,” the statement said.
French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin said the five countries had agreed to work toward “a stronger Europe within an equally stronger NATO,” through a coordinated plan developed with full transparency toward Washington.
Vautrin also announced that the next E5 meeting would take place in Rome in March 2027.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who attended the meeting, stressed the need to modernize Europe’s military capabilities.
“We must continue to modernize our forces and capabilities to build a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO,” Kallas said.
U.S. troop reductions raise questions over European defense
The discussions come amid uncertainty over Washington’s plans to reduce its military presence in Europe.
Polish Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski expressed confidence that any changes to the U.S. military deployment would be coordinated with NATO allies to prevent disruptions or gaps in military capabilities.
In May, the Pentagon surprised European allies by announcing plans to withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany, representing roughly 15 percent of the 36,000 U.S. troops stationed there.
Washington said at the time that the withdrawal would take place over the following six to 12 months.
The announcement has reinforced European concerns about the continent’s long-term security arrangements and the need to strengthen its own defense capabilities while maintaining close cooperation with the United States.
Continued support for Ukraine
The E5 defense ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
However, the meeting concluded without the announcement of any new financial or operational assistance for Kyiv.
The ministers’ statements reflect an effort to balance two priorities: strengthening Europe’s capacity to defend itself and preserving the United States’ central role in NATO’s collective security framework.
Their commitment to greater European responsibility signals continued momentum toward a stronger European defense posture, while underscoring that the transatlantic alliance remains essential to the continent’s security.
