Europe's top NATO powers pledge greater defence role, reaffirm US alliance

Türkiye Today reports that defense ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Britain, collectively known as the E5 group, made the commitment following talks in Paris[2]."Europe must assume greater responsibility for its own security," the ministers said in a joint statement[2], according to Türkiye Today, which reports they added: "We are determined to work in close coordination with the United States and all Allies in order to implement this concrete ambition"[2].TRT World reports that French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said the five countries had agreed to pursue "a stronger Europe within an equally stronger NATO"[1]. According to the same outlet, the group's next meeting will take place in Rome in March 2027, Vautrin said[1].According to Türkiye Today, in May the Pentagon surprised European allies by announcing plans to withdraw approximately 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany[2]. The outlet reports that Polish Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Zalewski expressed confidence that any troop withdrawal agreement would be coordinated with NATO allies to prevent gaps in military capabilities or deterrence[2].TRT World reports that the five countries also reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine, although they announced no new financial or operational assistance[1]. According to the outlet, British minister Wes Streeting warned that the Russian threat was "of a kind we haven't seen since the end of the Cold War"[1]. Bytes Europe reports Streeting said: "None of us seek war with Russia. And we certainly have no quarrel with the Russian people"[3].According to TRT World, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: "We must continue to modernise our forces and capabilities to build a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO"[1].