Against the backdrop of current threats and challenges to the security environment, leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom met on Wednesday in Berlin. The Secretary General of NATO joined the meeting from Washington, according to a statement from the UK Prime Minister's Office.
Commitment to Euro-Atlantic Security and Transatlantic Bond
Leaders affirmed their unwavering commitment to Euro-Atlantic security and the transatlantic bond, recognizing the vital role the United States continues to play in the Alliance. They agreed to collectively work toward a successful NATO summit in Ankara, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 7-8.
They expressed strong determination to build a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO and to pursue their respective defense industrial endeavors in the closest possible cooperation, as per the statement.
Five Specific Areas of Action
Leaders decided to move forward in five specific areas: European leadership and burden sharing, collective security, defense industrial cooperation, support for Ukraine, and unity on Iran.
European Leadership and Burden Sharing
Leaders committed to a stronger European role within NATO, with Europe taking greater responsibility for shared transatlantic security and coordinating closely with the US. They welcomed significant progress by Allies toward implementing The Hague Defence Investment Pledge and agreed to jointly develop avenues to strengthen European contributions to Allied capabilities.
Collective Security
Leaders agreed to proactively strengthen the Alliance's deterrence and defense posture and increase contributions to NATO's deterrence activities. This aims to respond to and deter the most significant and direct threat from Russia and the most direct asymmetric threat of terrorism to Euro-Atlantic security, in line with a 360-degree approach. They reaffirmed their fundamental commitment to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area and their determination to act timely together if threatened.
Defence Industrial Cooperation
Leaders recognized the importance of closer defense industrial cooperation to deliver NATO's capabilities, warfighting readiness, and resilience essential for deterrence and defense at the necessary speed, scale, and value. They will further strengthen cooperation with a focus on air defense, unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and other capabilities including long-range firepower.
They agreed to accelerate commitment to European joint development and procurement of deep precision strike capabilities. In addition to strengthening European industrial efforts, leaders emphasized harnessing emerging technologies underpinned by financial mechanisms to unlock capital and investment, including extending existing instruments to close critical capability gaps and increase interoperability.
Support for Ukraine
Leaders committed to further substantially support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression, including through sanctions and economic pressure on Russia as well as support for the resilience of Ukraine's energy sector. They support pledges in military support at the NATO Summit and intensified cooperation with Ukraine through NATO initiatives, including JATEC and NSATU.
They reiterated commitment to deepening NATO's partnership with Ukraine, bringing Ukraine closer to the Alliance, and recognizing the vital contribution Ukraine makes to Euro-Atlantic security. Leaders are aligned regarding conditions for a just and lasting peace and support proposals for direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, with active US and European participation.
United on Iran
Leaders welcomed the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, secured under the leadership of US President Donald Trump with support from mediating countries, and agreed this is a moment of opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilize the global economy. They reiterated commitment to supporting implementation of the MoU as part of urgent and comprehensive follow-up that delivers lasting peace.
Leaders underlined that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. They reaffirmed the importance of unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. They confirmed commitment to participate in the UK-France led Multinational Military Mission as soon as conditions allow and in accordance with respective constitutional requirements. This could play an important role in reassuring the shipping industry and reopening the Strait, including through verification of demining, the statement added.
