May 4, 2026 — Around 48 countries met in Yerevan, Armenia, for the European Political Community (EPC) summit to confront mounting security threats, energy vulnerabilities and the resilience of democracies as wars continue in Ukraine and Iran.
Speaking to the plenary, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Europe had “heard” Washington’s frustrations over the US conflict with Iran and was “stepping up,” adding that leaders had “gotten the message loud and clear.” He urged a bigger European role and a stronger NATO. French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed calls for reduced reliance on the United States for defense, with Macron saying Europe must learn to live without depending on Washington and von der Leyen calling for expanded military capabilities.
Estonia’s Kaja Kallas described President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from Germany as a “surprise,” while noting that discussion of a US drawdown had been circulating for some time. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged “tension” between European leaders and Washington over reluctance to take part in strikes on Iran, stressed the need to confront strains in long-standing alliances collectively, and confirmed the UK’s participation in the EU’s recently approved €90 billion loan to Ukraine. Starmer framed British involvement as beneficial to both Ukrainian and broader European security, after earlier friction with President Trump over use of UK bases.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the EPC to forge “one common European voice” on Iran while maintaining close contact with the US. He pressed allies for sustained support for Ukraine’s air defenses and said talks with the European Commission are progressing on a major drone procurement.
The summit also produced notable diplomatic signals outside the EU. Turkey sent Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz — the highest-ranking Turkish official to visit Armenia since 2013 — suggesting a possible thaw after years of frosty relations and a closed land border; some Armenian officials hinted at potential reopening, though Ankara has not confirmed that. Canada made a visible showing: Mark Carney attended as the first non-European leader at the EPC, presenting Canada as an eager partner in diversifying ties and reducing dependence on the US. Carney said gatherings like the EPC demonstrate resistance to a more transactional, insular global order, and Canada became the first non-European country to join the EU’s defense financing scheme.
Background: The EPC, created in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, brings together EU members, non-EU European states and neighboring countries for high-level dialogue rather than binding decisions. The Yerevan meeting concentrated on defense and security cooperation, energy resilience amid global conflict, and supporting democracy in Armenia while backing its peace process with Azerbaijan. It will be followed by the first-ever EU–Armenia leaders’ summit.
As leaders met, many emphasized a shift toward greater European responsibility for defense and security, deeper 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.