European E5 Leaders Coordinate Security Stance Before NATO Summit

Leaders of the European Group of Five (E5)—France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom—met in Berlin on June 24, 2026, to coordinate a unified Euro-Atlantic security strategy. Hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the group focused on strengthening the European pillar of NATO through increased defense spending, industrial cooperation, and the procurement of AI-driven defense systems and deep precision strike capabilities.

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, described the period as a moment of reconvergence between Europe and the United States. This alignment is evidenced by the G7 members signing a common text for the first time in 18 months, reaffirming support for Ukrainian territorial integrity, military assistance, and sanctions against Russian oil and gas. The E5 leaders pledged to consolidate this unity at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8 and a coalition meeting for Ukraine on July 13.

Beyond Ukraine, the leaders welcomed a US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding secured by President Donald Trump. To ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the group agreed to participate in a UK-France led Multinational Military Mission. The Berlin meeting also served as a farewell to outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.