Canada Joins European Summit as Allies Seek Security Ties Amid Trump Anxiety

The eighth EPC gathering, held in Armenia under the motto “Building the Future: Unity and Stability in Europe,” came at a moment when European leaders were openly talking about strategic independence. António Costa announced Carney’s invitation on April 28 and called Europe and Canada “more than just like-minded partners,” part of “a global alliance to defend peace, shared prosperity and multilateralism.” In Yerevan, Costa framed the summit as a chance to underline that Europe’s security is a “360-degree challenge,” while Ursula von der Leyen said Europe needed “more independence” in security matters and should step up its military capabilities.

Carney echoed that pressure-point message. “We don’t think that we’re destined to submit to a more transactional, insular and brutal world and gatherings such as these point to a better way forward,” he said. He added, “We’re the most European of non-European countries, so there are many ways that we can work together.” Costa responded publicly: “Great to count on friends like Canada!”

The gathering also exposed how quickly the transatlantic map is being redrawn. Days after Washington said it would pull 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, the summit in Armenia brought together Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and, represented by Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Europe’s outreach to Ottawa is no longer only diplomatic theater: in June 2025, the European Union and Canada signed a security and defense partnership in Brussels that opened the door to joint procurement through the SAFE instrument, part of the EU’s €150 billion defense-financing effort.