Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has asserted that Europe can serve as the foundation for rebuilding a new international order, resisting submission to a harsher global environment. Carney made these remarks during his participation as the first non-European leader at a European Political Community (EPC) meeting, held amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and growing uncertainty over the United States’ commitment to NATO. He emphasized that gatherings like the EPC meeting highlight a preferable path forward, suggesting a decline in American leadership while underscoring Canada’s presence at the European forum. Carney expressed confidence that the international order would be reconstructed with Europe at its core, emphasizing the importance of values and strength in maintaining a rules-based international framework.
The latest EPC summit, marking the organization’s eighth session, is being conducted in Yerevan, Armenia. The choice of venue reflects Europe’s resolve to prevent Armenia from falling back under Russian influence. This meeting coincides with renewed concerns regarding the US’s dedication to NATO, following President Donald Trump’s unexpected decision to withdraw over 5,000 troops from Germany, exacerbating European anxieties about the stability of the transatlantic alliance. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged existing tensions within longstanding alliances, noting that how leaders navigate these challenges could shape the geopolitical landscape for many years, or even a generation.
French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Europeans are taking charge of their destiny by boosting defense and security expenditures and developing common solutions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted a pivotal moment for Russia in the upcoming summer, where a choice between expanding conflict or pursuing diplomacy must be made. Zelenskyy stressed the significance of maintaining sanctions against Russia if it opts not to end the war and advocated for a diplomatic framework that includes European participation in negotiations.
Alongside the German troop withdrawal, Trump has hinted at potentially removing forces from Italy and Spain, citing insufficient support from these governments for US-Israeli operations targeting Iran. By the end of 2025, the US military presence in Europe was reported as 36,436 troops in Germany, 12,662 in Italy, and 3,814 in Spain. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas remarked on the unexpected timing of the troop withdrawal announcement, underscoring the need to bolster the European pillar within NATO. She refrained from speculating on whether Trump’s actions were a response to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s comments about the US being “humiliated” by Iran in peace talks.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged some disappointment from the US regarding Europe’s initial reluctance to support the Iran conflict. However, he noted that Europe had taken heed of the concerns and was now providing logistical support to US operations, as well as pre-positioning key assets for future phases. Despite not attending the Yerevan summit, Merz expressed his continued commitment to the transatlantic relationship and cooperation with Trump during a television interview.