Top European leaders vow ‘strong’ support for Ukraine ahead of NATO summit

What Happened

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted the leaders of Britain, France, Italy and Poland at the European Group of Five (E5) summit in Berlin on Wednesday. Following a videolink call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the E5 leaders issued a joint statement pledging 'to further substantially support Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression, including through sanctions and economic pressure on Russia as well as support for the resilience of Ukraine’s energy sector'. Merz said the message to Russia is: 'Ukraine remains strong.' The leaders vowed to send a strong signal of support for Ukraine at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8, which 32 heads of state including US President Donald Trump will attend. Merz stated he would brief Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the Berlin talks. French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also indicated the Europeans would signal readiness for a military mission in the Strait of Hormuz at the NATO summit, conditioned on a US-Iran memorandum of understanding finalising nuclear inspectors and frozen assets.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The E5 meeting demonstrates European unity and proactive commitment to Ukraine's defence ahead of the NATO summit, likely aimed at reinforcing transatlantic ties and preparing for potential shifts in US policy under Trump. The explicit signalling of military capability expansion—including a possible Strait of Hormuz mission—indicates Europe’s willingness to shoulder greater security burdens, while the Ukraine pledges aim to counter Russian narratives of Western fatigue.

Watch For

The NATO summit in Ankara on July 7–8, where Trump’s posture on Ukraine and allied burden-sharing will be tested. Monitor Merz’s briefings to Trump and Erdogan for any shifts in coordination, and whether the US-Iran memorandum of understanding progresses, enabling the European Strait of Hormuz mission. Also note if the E5’s pledges translate into concrete defence spending increases or new sanctions packages.