EU military leaders to discuss defence reforms in Brussels, one day after NATO summit

The European Council has confirmed that the EU’s Chiefs of Staff will meet in Brussels on May 15, a day after NATO’s military leaders, to discuss the reform and adaptation of the EU’s defence institutions and armed forces.

The meeting will be chaired by General Robert Brieger, the Chairman of the EU Military Committee, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

The discussions will align with the European Commission’s proposed strategy to bolster the military readiness of EU member states by 2030. This high-level gathering will serve as a follow-up to NATO’s highest Military Authority, the Military Committee, which will meet on May 14, 2025, at the Chiefs of Defence level.

The Chair of the Military Committee (CMC), Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, will preside the meeting, with the participation of the 32 Allies, along with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), and Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT). The NATO Secretary General will join the Military Committee for the opening session to address the Alliance's key priorities and challenges. 

During the first session SACEUR will brief the Chiefs of Defence on NATO’s continued efforts to further strengthen its collective deterrence and defence posture. Allied Chiefs of Defence will also exchange views on ongoing NATO-led missions and activities, and on NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU). 

In the second session, SACT will provide an update on NATO’s Defence Planning Process, and related innovation opportunities and challenges.   The last session will be held in a NATO-Ukraine Council format to discuss Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation on the ground, and NATO and Allied continued support to Ukraine.

By Naila Huseynova