E5 Leaders Affirm Commitment to Security, Back Freedom of Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz

Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom convened in Berlin to reinforce their commitment to Euro-Atlantic security amidst current global threats. The Secretary General of NATO also joined the meeting from Washington, underscoring the alliance's transatlantic bond and the pivotal role of the United States.

The leaders expressed a unified determination to foster a stronger Europe within a more robust NATO. They committed to enhancing European contributions to the alliance's capabilities and coordinating more closely with the U.S. This includes strengthening NATO's deterrence and defense posture to counter threats from Russia and terrorism, adopting a comprehensive 360-degree approach.

Discussions also centered on deepening defense industrial cooperation, particularly in areas like air defense, unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and long-range firepower. The leaders agreed to accelerate joint European development and procurement of precision strike capabilities. They emphasized harnessing emerging technologies and financial mechanisms to close critical capability gaps and improve interoperability.

Furthermore, the group reaffirmed their commitment to substantially support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. This support includes maintaining sanctions and economic pressure on Russia, as well as bolstering the resilience of Ukraine's energy sector. The leaders are focused on a successful NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.