Defence ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK call Russia 'the most acute and long-term threat' to Euro-Atlantic security

The defence ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom, known as the Group of Five or E5, said on Monday 26 October that Russia “represents the most acute and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security and stability”, in a joint statement after a meeting in Paris.

The meeting was hosted by French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin. The UK Ministry of Defence published the statement in the name of the five ministers. French officials said the agenda covered further support for Ukraine, European defence and the conflict in the Middle East, Al Jazeera reported. The group last met in Berlin in June.

What the statement says

The ministers said Russia’s war against Ukraine, “its continued violations of Allied airspace, acts of sabotage and growing use of multi-domain hybrid attacks” did not undermine their unity but strengthened their determination to protect Allied territory.

“Europe must assume greater responsibility for its own security,” the statement said, adding that this “must begin with the empowerment of European Allies within NATO”. The ministers said they would work “in close coordination with the United States”, which they called “an indispensable Ally”, and that “continued United States engagement in European security is essential to a strong and credible NATO”.

They said NATO “remains the cornerstone of our collective security” and that EU defence initiatives “should complement NATO, avoid duplication” and remain open, under certain conditions, to non-EU NATO members.

On Ukraine, the five pledged to keep supporting Kyiv “politically, militarily and financially”, to continue “tackling the activities of Russia’s shadow fleet, in accordance with international law”, and said the Coalition of the Willing would contribute to security guarantees “once a cease-fire or a peace agreement is in place”.