European leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met in Yerevan, Armenia, on Monday, May 4, 2026 [1], to discuss defence independence.

The summit occurs as the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, threatens to cut military aid to Europe. This shift in American policy is forcing European nations to reconsider their reliance on the U.S. for security and seek alternative strategic partnerships to maintain regional stability.

The meeting took place within the framework of the European Political Community (EPC). For the first time, a non-European leader attended the EPC summit [2], with Prime Minister Carney representing Canada. The inclusion of Canada signals a desire to broaden the coalition of democratic allies capable of providing security cooperation outside the immediate European sphere.

Discussions in Yerevan centered on strengthening ties between Canada and the European Union. Leaders explored ways to deepen cooperation on defence, and security to navigate a fraught geopolitical environment. The talks focused on building a more autonomous defence posture for Europe, reducing the risk associated with fluctuating U.S. military commitments.

While the summit aimed for unity, the shadow of U.S. policy remained a primary driver of the agenda. The participants sought to align their strategic interests to ensure that the reduction of U.S. support does not leave a vacuum in European security architecture. The presence of Canadian leadership suggests a pivot toward a more diverse set of transatlantic security guarantees.

Prime Minister Carney and European leaders emphasized the need for collective resilience. By integrating Canadian interests into the EPC dialogue, the leaders aimed to create a more robust framework for intelligence sharing, and military coordination that can withstand shifts in Washington's foreign policy.

“European leaders discussed defence independence and deeper ties with Canada.”

The invitation of a Canadian leader to the EPC summit marks a significant shift in European diplomatic strategy. By expanding the summit's membership beyond Europe, the bloc is attempting to diversify its security dependencies. This move suggests that European leaders no longer view the U.S. as a guaranteed security provider and are actively seeking a 'Plan B' that includes other North American allies to maintain a deterrent against regional threats.