Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, has expressed a vision for Europe to serve as a foundation for rebuilding a new international order, rejecting the notion of surrendering to a more harsh global landscape. Carney’s remarks came during his participation as the first non-European leader at the European Political Community meeting, which commenced in Yerevan, Armenia. This gathering occurs amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and increased skepticism regarding the United States’ commitment to NATO, especially following Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement of withdrawing over 5,000 troops from Germany.
Carney emphasized that the era of exclusive American leadership might be concluding and highlighted the importance of Canada’s presence at a European political assembly. He stated, “It is my strong personal view that the international order will be rebuilt, but it will be rebuilt out of Europe.” Carney underscored the importance of upholding a rules-based international order and noted the challenges posed by the current geopolitical climate, where integration is sometimes wielded as a weapon and traditional rules are not restraining dominant powers.
The choice of Armenia as the venue for the EPC’s eighth meeting reflects Europe’s commitment to preventing the country from falling back under Russian influence. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking at the summit, acknowledged the increased tensions within traditional alliances and noted that how leaders respond will have long-lasting implications. Similarly, French President Emmanuel Macron asserted Europe’s move towards self-reliance in defense and security, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the urgency of diplomatic engagement with Russia, urging the maintenance of sanctions unless Russia opts for diplomacy.
The troop withdrawal announcement has sparked discussions about the future of NATO’s European pillar. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, pointed out the surprise timing of the announcement and the need for Europe to bolster its role within NATO. Rumors suggest that Trump’s decision might be linked to frustrations with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who criticized US actions in Iran negotiations. Despite skipping the Yerevan summit, Merz expressed his continued commitment to the transatlantic relationship and collaboration with Trump.
NATO chief Mark Rutte acknowledged some disappointment from the US over Europe’s hesitance to support operations against Iran. However, he assured reporters that Europe has taken the feedback seriously and is now actively contributing logistical support and pre-positioning assets for potential future phases. As discussions unfold in Yerevan, the focus remains on how Europe can navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape and assert its role in shaping a stable and rules-based international order.