EPC summit: Europe has 'gotten the message' from Trump

[ad_1] Skip next section Meloni said she does not want a US troop withdrawal from Italy 05/04/2026 Could 4, 2026 Meloni mentioned she doesn't need a US troop withdrawal from Italy

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni instructed reporters that she wouldn't assist a US troop withdrawal, resembling the type that has been announced for Germany , however that "it's a determination that does not rely on me."

Requested final week whether or not he would additionally pull out US troops stationed in Spain and Italy, Trump mentioned "in all probability."

Not like Germany, Spain and Italy have restricted the usage of US navy bases of their nations to launch assaults on Iran.

Meloni and Trump beforehand shared a cordial relationship that has since turned tense over her refusal to lend Italian resources to the conflict in Iran.

She did say, nevertheless, that she is going to doubtless meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week when he travels to the Vatican to fulfill with Pope Leo.

There are about 12,000 active-duty US navy members at present stationed all through US bases and joint installations in Italy.

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Skip next section UK's Starmer admits 'tension' with US over Iran 05/04/2026 Could 4, 2026 UK's Starmer admits 'pressure' with US over Iran Starmer mentioned it was 'excellent' that the EU had just lately authorised a significant mortgage to Ukraine Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire/dpa/image alliance Talking at an EPC plenary session, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the heightened "pressure" between the gathered leaders and Washington over Europe's reluctance to take part within the conflict with Iran.

"We can not deny that a few of the alliances that we've got come to depend on will not be within the place we might need them to be," the prime minister mentioned, including that "there may be extra pressure within the alliances than there ought to be and it is crucial that we subsequently withstand this as a bunch of nations collectively."

Whereas the connection between Starmer and President Trump began off on a optimistic be aware, it has soured in current weeks over Starmer's preliminary refusal to let the US navy use British bases for its strikes on Iran.

Individually, Starmer mentioned he was dedicated to collaborating in the European Union's deliberate €90 billion ($105 billion) mortgage to Ukraine, just lately authorised after the election defeat of Moscow-friendly Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary.

"The leaders mentioned the European Union’s £78 billion mortgage to Ukraine, and the prime minister underlined the chance the UK’s involvement would carry for each Ukraine and European safety," a spokesperson for the prime minister mentioned.

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Skip next section Turkey sends top politician to Armenia for the first time in over a decade 05/04/2026 Could 4, 2026 Turkey sends high politician to Armenia for the primary time in over a decade

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz is the primary high-ranking official from Ankara to go to Armenia since 2013.

"It's fairly important to have a Turkish consultant at a global assembly going down in Armenia," an EU official instructed German information company dpa.

The final two visits to Yerevan from high leaders got here when then-President Abdullah Gül attended a soccer sport in 2008 and when former Overseas Minister Ahmet Davutoglu took half in a gathering of Black Sea-bordering nations in 2013.

The 2 neighbors have lengthy been at odds over Turkey's refusal to acknowledge the Armenian genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire throughout World Conflict I. Ankara has additionally routinely sided with Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , and closed its land border with Armenia completely in 1993.

There have been indicators since 2021, nevertheless, that the connection is thawing as some diplomatic relations were restored . Some Armenian officers have hinted that their border could also be reopened, however there was no affirmation of this from the Turkish aspect.

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Skip next section Mark Carney becomes first non-European leader to attend EPC 05/04/2026 Could 4, 2026 Mark Carney turns into first non-European chief to attend EPC

The attendence of Carney (second left) has given the EPC not solely an anti-Russia but in addition an anti-Trump tilt Picture: Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press/ZUMA/dpa/image alliance "We do not assume that we're destined to undergo a extra transactional insular and brutal world and gatherings resembling these level to a greater means ahead," mentioned Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in what was perceived as a thinly veiled remark in regards to the US.

Carney is the primary non-European chief to attend the EPC, and the transfer is seen as Ottawa's newest try to diversify each diplomatic ties and commerce away from dependency on its southern neighbor.

Canada additionally change into the primary non-European nation to hitch the EU's protection financing scheme.

"We're probably the most European of non-European nations, so there's many ways in which we will work collectively," Carney instructed reporters in Yerevan.

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Skip next section Zelenskyy calls for 'common European voice' on Iran 05/04/2026 Could 4, 2026 Zelenskyy requires 'frequent European voice' on Iran

Addressing the EPC, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that gathered members ought to "develop one frequent European voice" in response to the US-led conflict with Iran, even when they "perceive" Washington's place and stay in shut contact with leaders there.

He additionally used his speech to name for assurances from allies that Ukraine would proceed to get assist for much-needed anti-missile protection techniques.

On the similar time, he introduced that Kyiv and the European Union had superior on a significant drone deal after he spoke with European Fee chief Ursula von der Leyen.

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Skip next section Rutte, Macron, and von der Leyen react to US troop withdrawal from Europe Printed 05/04/2026 Printed Could 4, 2026 final up to date 05/04/2026 final up to date Could 4, 2026 Rutte, Macron, and von der Leyen react to US troop withdrawal from Europe

Ursula von der Leyen referred to as on Europe to rely much less on US assist for its personal protection Picture: Anthony Pizzoferrato/AP Picture/dpa/image alliance NATO Secretary-Basic Mark Rutte mentioned on the opening of the EPC summit that Europe has "heard" Washington's frustration over its battle with Iran and are "stepping up."

"European leaders have gotten the message. They heard the message loud and clear," Rutte mentioned, acknowledging "disappointment on the US aspect" on European nations' resistance to becoming a member of the conflict.

His feedback got here shortly after President Donald Trump introduced a significant withdrawal of US troops from Germany — which was itself seemingly prompted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying the US was being "humilitated" by Iran.

"Europeans are stepping up, an even bigger function for Europe and a stronger NATO," Rutte added.

French President Emmanuel Macron additionally addressed the troop disadvantage, saying that Europe wanted to be taught to dwell with out relying on the US for protection.

"Europeans are taking their future into their very own fingers, rising their defence and safety spending, and constructing their very own frequent options," the French chief mentioned.

European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen echoed Macron's sentiments, saying "we've got to step up our navy capabilities to have the ability to defend and shield ourselves."

The EU's high diplomat Kaja Kallas referred to as Trump's transfer a "shock", however mentioned there had been discuss of a wind-down for US troops for a while.

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Skip next section What is the EPC and why are they meeting? Printed 05/04/2026 Printed Could 4, 2026 final up to date 05/04/2026 final up to date Could 4, 2026 What's the EPC and why are they assembly?

The European Politicial Neighborhood (EPC) is compromised of 44 member states, together with all EU member nations in addition to non-EU nations in Europe, Turkey, and a few nations within the Caucasus.

A number of different world leaders, together with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, are attending as friends.

It was based in 2022 in response the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is format is for high-level talks and debate, to not make binding agreements.

This most up-to-date assembly is anticipated to concentrate on protection amidst the continuing wars in Ukraine and Iran , in addition to the specter of power insecurity these world conflicts pose.

Because the group meets in Armenia, shoring up democracy in that nation and supporting its peace course of with Azerbaijan can also be on the agenda.

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Skip next section Welcome to our coverage 05/04/2026 Could 4, 2026 Welcome to our protection Leaders from 48 nations are gathering in Yerevan, Armenia, for the most recent European Political Neighborhood summit underneath the shadow of wars in Iran and Ukraine.