A draft for Monday's five-nation defense meeting in Paris pairs continued backing for Ukraine with a larger European security role as it casts Russia as the continent's most acute, long-term threat, Bloomberg reported.
France's Ministry for the Armed Forces scheduled the Oct. 26 meeting of the E5, comprising France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom. NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska is due to attend discussions on support for Ukraine and the Middle East, NATO said.
Bloomberg said the draft points to Russia's war in Ukraine, violations of allied airspace, sabotage and hybrid attacks. The text says those actions have not weakened unity among the five countries.
No final statement was available in the official sources reviewed as of 6:32 a.m. ET (10:32 UTC) Monday. Bloomberg said the draft wording could change.
The E5 leaders took a similar position in June, describing Russia as the most significant and direct threat to Euro-Atlantic security. Their statement backed continued support for Ukraine and a stronger European role within NATO. In February, the group's defense ministers listed countering hybrid threats and supporting Ukraine among their priorities.
NATO scheduled a joint news conference with Shekerinska and E5 participants for noon ET (4 p.m. UTC) Monday.
