Ukraine and nine other countries including the UK, Germany, and France announced the formation of a coalition to develop shared anti-ballistic missile defense capabilities for Europe, leveraging Ukraine's combat experience against Russian attacks. The initiative marks a shift away from reliance on US defense systems.
Leaders of Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and Poland met in Berlin to strengthen NATO's European pillar before NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's Wednesday meeting with President Trump. The diplomatic efforts come amid tensions over European participation in the US-Israel war on Iran and Trump's planned troop reductions, ahead of a potentially contentious NATO summit in Ankara in July 2026.
NATO's top commander General Alexus Grynkewich confirmed the US will withdraw an armored brigade (5,000 troops) from Europe and indicated additional withdrawals should be expected as European allies strengthen their own defense capabilities.
