Pistorius in Paris: E5 defence ministers discuss support for Ukraine
The defence ministers of Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Poland meet in Paris on Monday. The talks focus on support for Ukraine ahead of winter and on Europe's defence.
Archive image · Photo: U.S. Secretary of Defense / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (cropped and resized)
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) is in Paris on Monday for talks of the so-called E5 group. The defence ministers of Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Poland are meeting in Paris from 11 a.m., according to the French Defence Ministry. NATO and EU representatives are taking part in parts of the talks, and Ukraine's defence minister is joining by video link.
The agenda includes the military situation in Ukraine and longer-term support for the country, which is fighting Russia's invasion, ahead of winter. Ministers are also discussing a stronger Europe within NATO, hybrid attacks and the situation in the Middle East.
At an E5 summit in Berlin in June, the countries pledged continued help for Ukraine and agreed to strengthen NATO's European pillar, including through higher defence spending.