NATO Remains Indispensable for European Security; E5 Group Should Lead Defence Union (eco.sapo.pt)

• Costa: Stronger NATO indispensable for European security.
• Kubilius proposes E5 as informal security council for defence union.
• Ukraine to be integrated to fill gaps from US drawdown.

"European Council President António Costa stated after meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that a stronger NATO remains indispensable for European security. Meanwhile, EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius proposed using the E5 group (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland) as an informal security council to launch a European Defence Union, integrating Ukraine. The plan would operate outside EU treaties to allow faster progress without unanimous consent."