Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed French President Emanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to a meeting of the E5 (European Group of Five: Germany, France, Italy, Poland, United Kingdom) at the Federal Chancellery. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte took part in the meeting via video call.

The meeting focused on preparations for the NATO summit, which is set to take place in Ankara on 7 and 8 July 2026. In addition, the participants at the meeting discussed additional support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, as well as the situation in Iran and Lebanon. 

The most important points in brief:

• Contribution to NATO renewal: “We are committed to a strong, united and resolute NATO that safeguards security in the Euro-Atlantic area”, Merz stressed. He went on to say that Germany will therefore contribute significantly to the necessary renewal of NATO and will strengthen the European pillar of the Alliance. “We will walk this path together”, said the Chancellor. He stated that he wants to see more cooperation – both across the Atlantic and, above all, within Europe.
• Support for Ukraine: The Federal Government is proposing that Europe’s NATO partners commit to providing reliable and substantial funding for the Ukrainian armed forces next year as well. European support, said Merz, should remain strong so that Ukraine can remain strong. This will send a signal to Russia, ensuring that genuine peace talks can begin.
• End to the war in Iran and Lebanon: The Federal Chancellor welcomes the framework agreement between the USA and Iran and supports the follow-up negotiations so that the war can be brought to a permanent end. He says that this also applies to the war in Lebanon. Given the European and transatlantic interest, he continued, Germany will play its part.  

[Box: Leaders’ statement]

Read the transcript of the press statements here (in German):