Europe's Five Big NATO Members Say They Are Ready to Take on More Responsibility

France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom announced on Monday that they are ready to take on greater responsibility within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO is a military alliance that brings together European countries, the United States and Canada. The five European countries said at the same time that they continue to regard the United States as an integral ally.

What the countries said

The statement has two parts. First, five European NATO members signal that they want a larger role and more responsibility in the alliance. Second, they make clear that this stance does not call into question the place of the US in NATO: Washington is still viewed as an important and integral partner.

The source's headline refers to this group of five countries as Europe's "big five".

Why it matters

The announcement touches on how responsibility is shared inside the alliance between European members and the United States. The five countries, speaking together, are prepared to do more themselves, but they do not want that to mean drifting away from the US.

The source report does not specify which concrete duties or commitments the countries intend to assume, and it gives no timelines. Those questions remain open until further details are made public.