Following on from previous meetings in Berlin and Poland, the ministers reasserted their determination to step up support for Ukraine. They welcomed recent diplomatic progress between the United States and Ukraine, particularly the talks held in Jeddah on 11 March regarding a temporary 30-day ceasefire. 

“The ball is now in Russia’s court. The Ukrainian army is the main guarantee of Ukraine’s security; its capabilities, weapons, equipment, training and structure,” explains Sébastien Lecornu, France’s Minister for the Armed Forces. On the topic of European and NATO Chiefs of Staff meeting French President Emmanuel Macron on 11 March, Lecornu went on to add: “Our chiefs of defence have begun developing plans for the short and medium term, in order to devise a security framework that will ensure peace and a lasting ceasefire.”

The E5 group agreed on a number of measures to strengthen military and industrial support for Ukraine, including the modernisation of the Ukrainian armed forces, the acceleration of defence cooperation projects and coordination with NATO and the EU. UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey stated: “We must shoulder our responsibility and step up our efforts to support Ukraine. Our security is shared and our strength rests upon our unwavering commitment towards each other.”

Increasing the autonomy and effectiveness of European defence

In addition to support for Ukraine, these exchanges highlighted the need to strengthen European defence capabilities in order to complement the role currently played by NATO. The different ministers stressed the importance of enhanced industrial cooperation, particularly through the simplification of procurement procedures and the pursuit of joint initiatives. 

Boris Pistorius, Germany’s Minister of Defence, commented: “Europe must take responsibility for its own security. I am convinced that if we prioritise collective security over self-interest, we will emerge from this crisis united and stronger.” He also spoke of the need to reform military procurement processes, in order to improve the efficiency and interoperability of Europe’s armed forces. He explained that “there is a great deal of leeway to be gained in terms of procurement, for us to acquire more equipment, we want to deregulate.”

This statement echoes the words of Guido Crosetto, Italy’s Minister of Defence: “We hid behind America’s shield and relied on the fact that someone else was defending us. We now realise that it is an absolute priority for Europe to demonstrate an autonomous defence capability, in order to ensure the security of both our citizens and our democracies.”

With this in mind, the ministers pledged to bring concrete initiatives to the NATO summit scheduled for June 2025 in The Hague, as well as to the meeting of NATO defence ministers that is set to precede it.

A call for unity and responsibility

In order to meet current security challenges, E5 ministers stressed the importance of collective mobilisation. By strengthening its industrial capabilities and increasing defence spending, Europe can better respond to emerging threats and guarantee long-term stability. “We hope that the defence industry will no longer be treated as just another industry,” declared Sébastien Lecornu.

“The European giant has awoken, we are witnessing a historic moment,” concluded Władysław Marcin Kosiniak-Kamysz, Vice-Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Polish Minister of Defence.

With this joint stance, the E5 group is sending out a clear message: Europe is ready to assume its responsibilities in terms of defence. E5 defence ministers are calling upon other European nations to join them in this endeavour, with the firm belief that only a coordinated and truly ambitious response can guarantee a stable and secure future for all.