The German Chancellery has announced a high-level European security summit in Berlin, convening the continent's five largest military powers to coordinate strategy before a major NATO summit later this year. The gathering—formally designated the E5 format—will bring together leaders from Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Poland to align on defense spending commitments, Ukraine support, and European security coordination.
The E5 Format: A Rapid-Response Platform
The E5 format was inaugurated in November 2024 by then-German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and has since evolved into a coordination platform for defense matters outside traditional European Union structures. Unlike EU mechanisms that require consensus from all 27 member states, the E5 operates on a more agile basis and crucially includes the United Kingdom, a non-EU military heavyweight.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz disclosed the upcoming E5 meeting following the G7 summit in Évian this week. He framed the Berlin gathering as a necessary step to review outcomes from both the G7 and the European Council, with all five heads of state expected to attend.
"As I have said, on all matters related to Ukraine, we have always maintained close coordination with all European partners, especially with Poland and Italy," Merz stated. He added that Germany and its major G7 and European Council partners must assume "a certain leadership responsibility, always in coordination with others and with full transparency."
NATO Coordination and G7 Commitments
The E5 summit aligns with broader European efforts to present a unified position on Ukraine and defense burden-sharing. At the G7 summit in Évian, member nations issued a declaration on Ukraine that Merz characterized as sending "a very clear message: that the support of this group to Kyiv is today stronger than it has rarely been." He said all G7 partners would increase their military and financial contributions and intensify sanctions on Moscow.
"The message to Russia is equally clear: all G7 partners will increase pressure on Moscow, including through sanctions. This marks a new tone of transatlantic unity and determination," Merz stated.
Ukrainian President Zelensky, who met with Merz on the sidelines of the G7 on June 16, thanked Germany for its leadership in strengthening Ukraine's air defense and protecting against Russian strikes. The two leaders discussed additional systems and missiles, as well as steps to weaken Russia's capacity to continue the war.
Merz also expressed "a certain degree of optimism" about the possibility of Europe and the United States working together to end the war in Ukraine, describing U.S. President Donald Trump as "cooperative" and "open" to European proposals.
Russian Response and Strategic Context
Moscow's response has been predictably hostile. On June 20, Russia's Foreign Ministry declared readiness for dialogue but stated it would not accept ultimatums. Spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Merz of pursuing a path of "militarization" and intensifying anti-Russian rhetoric "literally every day."
The timing and composition of the E5 summit suggest European leaders are preparing a unified negotiating position, particularly given potential shifts in American security policy toward Europe.
E5 Track Record on Defense Cooperation
Since its founding, the E5 has convened defense ministers multiple times to coordinate on strengthening military aid to Ukraine and expanding European defense industrial capacity. The group has also focused on addressing hybrid threats and deepening defense cooperation among member states.
Recent E5 initiatives have included discussions on joint defense production and efforts to integrate Ukrainian firms into European defense value chains, reflecting a broader commitment to European strategic autonomy in defense matters.
Implications for Portugal and Smaller EU Members
For those living in Portugal—an EU and NATO member with limited direct involvement in E5 discussions—the summit signals a shift in European security decision-making toward coordination among the continent's largest military powers. While Portugal contributes to NATO missions and supports Ukraine through the EU framework, the emergence of the E5 as a key coordination platform means that decisions on defense spending, sanctions, and military aid are being shaped by a smaller circle of states.
This trend raises questions for smaller and southern European member states about how their interests are represented in European security policy-making. The E5's informal structure allows for rapid decision-making, but it also concentrates strategic planning among a handful of capitals.
Portugal's NATO commitments and broader European security obligations will likely be affected by coordinated positions developed through the E5, as increased defense spending pressures extend across all alliance members.
Next Steps
The Berlin summit is expected to produce proposals demonstrating Europe's commitment to increased defense spending and operational capability. These outcomes will help shape European positions ahead of broader NATO engagement and alliance-wide discussions on burden-sharing and Ukraine strategy.
For Portugal and other EU members, the coming weeks will clarify how this format evolves and influences the continent's security landscape and fiscal obligations in the years ahead.
