5 European leaders close ranks on defense before July NATO summit
What's next: Germany's leader said he will brief Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the July 7-8 meeting in Ankara.
The leaders of Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Poland met in Berlin and pledged a more united European defense posture ahead of NATO's July 7-8 summit in Ankara. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the gathering was meant to show Europe is ready to strengthen the alliance's European pillar while keeping close ties with the United States. The show of unity followed recent strains with President Donald Trump, criticism of Europe's stance on the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, and disagreements inside Europe over defense coordination and talks with Ukraine. The meeting also marked a farewell for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who said this week he would step down amid unrest in his party.