E5 NATO ministers pledge bigger European defence role, back US as 'indispensable ally'

Defence ministers from Europe's five leading NATO members committed on Monday to assuming "greater responsibility" for the continent's security while reaffirming that continued US engagement remained essential to the alliance.

The E5 group — France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Britain — met in Paris and issued a joint statement pledging to work in close coordination with Washington. French minister Catherine Vautrin said the objective was "a stronger Europe within an equally stronger NATO," pursued in full transparency with the United States.

Polish deputy minister Pawel Zalewski, standing in for the Polish minister, said he was confident that any reduction in the US military footprint would be coordinated with allies to avoid gaps in deterrence. In May, the Pentagon announced plans to withdraw around 5,000 troops from Germany — roughly 15 percent of the 36,000 stationed there — over six to 12 months.

British Foreign Secretary Wes Streeting reaffirmed support for Ukraine, warning of a Russian threat not seen since the end of the Cold War. The ministers stopped short of announcing new financial or operational assistance for Kyiv.

European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who attended the meeting, called on allies to modernise forces. Vautrin said the next E5 gathering would take place in Rome in March 2027.