It was expected to be about coordinating assistance to Ukraine and European arms cooperation, it was about Russian drones that violated airspace and ways to strengthen the air defence of the east flank of NATO. A gathering of representatives of Group E5 was held in London, although without the participation of the Polish defence minister, who returned to Warsaw urgently.
At the invitation of the UK, the Royal Artillery barracks in Woolwich were met by state defence ministers and representatives of E5 Group governments. The talks were to focus on the challenges facing European security, the directions for strengthening the defence capacity of the continent, assistance to Ukraine and European cooperation of the defence industries. However, the night attack of Russian drones on Ukraine, in violation of Polish airspace, changed the agenda of the summit. The gathering of the Group, which is composed of Poland, Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom, was to be attended by Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. However, the situation in the country made the head of the Polish defence department decide to return urgently from London to Warsaw.
In the end, the gathering was attended by defence ministers: the United Kingdom – John Healey, Italy – Guido Crosetto and German Chancellor's advisor – Jens Plötner and French government typical – Alice Rufo. On the another hand, Poland was represented by Marcin Kaźmierski, manager of the global MON safety Policy Department.
The British consider supporting air defence over Poland
The subject that dominated the talks was a nightly incidental involving Russian drones. The British defence minister, John Healey, at the summit's closing conference, assured Poland's support from London. As your ally in NATO, we will support you. Our Polish friends, we will do our best to guarantee the safety of your nation," he noted. “I asked the United Kingdom Armed Forces to examine the anticipation of strengthening NATO’s defence over Poland,” said Minister Healey. He besides pointed out that Russian aggression only strengthens the unity of NATO states and strengthens the determination to further support Ukraine. “Safe Europe starts with strong Ukraine,” he said.
Jens Plötner, a safety advisor to the German Chancellor, spoke in a akin tone. – We were faced with provocation not only towards our Polish allies, but towards the full NATO. We gotta respond together, with strength and courage, so as not to be provoked and at the same time show determination," he said.
Jens Plötner besides referred to the anticipation of transferring further air defence systems to Poland. – Germany presently has 2 Patriot systems batteries in Poland. They are full integrated with Polish weapons. Together we plan, practice and act. Further transfer of Patriot or IRIS-T systems is simply a hard decision, due to the fact that they are costly and hard to obtain, but talks continue," he noted.
Minister Guido Crosetto, who was asked about the readiness of Italian soldiers to act, including the shooting down of Russian drones, replied: “Italy, like another States of the Alliance, makes its resources available under the alleged NATO aces. Our patrol aircraft equipped with radar execute regular missions. It is part of our alliance commitments."
German patriots in Poland. Will there be more?
The typical of the Polish Ministry of Defence stressed that Warsaw wants the E5 Group to be not only a platform for discussion but a place to initiate real safety actions. Marcin Kaźmierski called on allies to solidarity and real support. “We request stronger support not only for Poland, but for the full east flank to better deal with the threats we faced last night,” he argued.
The E5 Group is an informal form of cooperation between 5 European countries, which devote the most resources to defence. The members of the group first met in November 2024 in Berlin.
