May 4, 2026 — Leaders from around 48 countries gathered in Yerevan, Armenia, for the European Political Community (EPC) summit to discuss mounting security challenges, energy risks and democratic resilience as wars rage in Ukraine and Iran.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told the plenary that Europe had “heard” Washington’s frustrations over its conflict with Iran and was “stepping up.” He said European leaders “gotten the message loud and clear,” acknowledging disappointment on the US side at some countries’ reluctance to join the war with Iran. Rutte urged a “bigger role for Europe and a stronger NATO.”
French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed calls for Europeans to rely less on the US for defense. Macron said Europe must learn to live without depending on Washington, while von der Leyen called for increased military capabilities. Estonia’s Kaja Kallas described President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from Germany as a “surprise,” but noted talk of a US wind-down had circulated for some time.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted there was “tension” between European leaders and Washington over Europe’s reluctance to participate in strikes on Iran. Speaking at an EPC plenary, Starmer acknowledged strains in long-standing alliances and stressed the importance of confronting those strains collectively. The British leader has faced friction with President Trump after initially refusing US use of UK bases for strikes. Starmer also confirmed the UK’s commitment to participate in the EU’s recently approved €90 billion loan to Ukraine, arguing UK involvement would benefit both Ukrainian and European security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the EPC to forge “one common European voice” on Iran while remaining in close contact with the US. He also pressed allies for continued support of Ukraine’s air defenses and announced progress with the European Commission on a major drone procurement.
The summit drew notable diplomatic signals beyond the EU. Turkey sent Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz — the highest-ranking Turkish official to visit Armenia since 2013 — marking a potentially significant thaw after years of frosty relations and a closed land border. Some Armenian officials have hinted at possible reopening of the border, though Ankara has not confirmed that.
Canada made a visible appearance: Mark Carney attended as the first non-European leader at the EPC, presenting Canada as an eager partner in diversifying ties and trade away from US dependency. Carney said gatherings like the EPC show resistance to a more transactional, insular global order. Canada also became the first non-European country to join the EU’s defense financing scheme.
Background: The EPC, founded in 2022 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, brings together EU members and non-EU European states, plus neighboring countries, for high-level discussion rather than binding decisions. This Yerevan meeting is focused on defense and security, energy resilience amid global conflict, and supporting democracy in Armenia while backing its peace process with Azerbaijan. The summit will be followed by the first-ever EU-Armenia leaders’ summit.
As leaders meet, many emphasized a shift toward greater European responsibility for defense and security, increased cooperation on military capabilities, and a push for a unified diplomatic stance on new crises — even as transatlantic relations show strains over how to respond to Iran.