Europe’s largest military spenders have launched a new “Group of Five” defense format, with Poland urging stepped up aid for Ukraine as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House.
The new group brings together Poland, Germany, France, Italy and the UK, which met in Berlin on Monday.
“Our target must be to enable Ukraine to act out of a position of strength," Germany's defense minister, Boris Pistorius, told reporters.
The election of Trump – who is skeptical of U.S. support for Ukraine – has added pressure on Europe to step up its role in arming Kyiv should Washington, the biggest donor so far, reduce its aid.
Poland’s defense minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, said: “Europe must coordinate its efforts more, it must harmonize its actions, it must aim higher, in order also to be a good partner for the United States.
“We are obliged today to say it clearly – Europe must increase its efforts when it comes to helping Ukraine but above all... when it comes to its own security.”
Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Group of Five meetings do not aim to replace other, existing formats, but to “reinforce and coordinate our actions” to increase security.
He added that he had invited his counterparts to meet in Poland early next year.
Poland spends more on defense than any NATO country as a proportion of national wealth, with expenditures slated to reach 4.7% of GDP next year.
Britain’s defense minister, John Healey, said: “I think the fact we've come together as the E5 very clearly signals we will stand unified and ready to protect our continent from aggressors. That we will stand firm in the face of Putin’s threats and that together we will be able to deter any expansion of Russian aggression.”
“Our target must be to enable Ukraine to act out of a position of strength," Germany's defense minister, Boris Pistorius, told reporters.
The election of Trump – who is skeptical of U.S. support for Ukraine – has added pressure on Europe to step up its role in arming Kyiv should Washington, the biggest donor so far, reduce its aid.
Poland’s defense minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, said: “Europe must coordinate its efforts more, it must harmonize its actions, it must aim higher, in order also to be a good partner for the United States.
“We are obliged today to say it clearly – Europe must increase its efforts when it comes to helping Ukraine but above all... when it comes to its own security.”
Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Group of Five meetings do not aim to replace other, existing formats, but to “reinforce and coordinate our actions” to increase security.
He added that he had invited his counterparts to meet in Poland early next year.
Poland spends more on defense than any NATO country as a proportion of national wealth, with expenditures slated to reach 4.7% of GDP next year.
Britain’s defense minister, John Healey, said: “I think the fact we've come together as the E5 very clearly signals we will stand unified and ready to protect our continent from aggressors. That we will stand firm in the face of Putin’s threats and that together we will be able to deter any expansion of Russian aggression.”
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