YEREVAN — European leaders convened at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan on Tuesday to discuss energy security, the protection of democracy and continued support for Ukraine. The gathering, held at a sports complex in the Armenian capital, focused on reducing the continent's reliance on United States defense commitments, though leaders did not mention U.S. President Donald Trump by name.

French President Emmanuel Macron told the summit that increasing U.S. indifference to European security is "the elephant in the room." He said Europe has an "over-reliance on the US security umbrella."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the European Union to move quickly to strengthen its defenses. "Are not where we want them to be" was removed as a quote fragment; Starmer admitted that Europe's alliances "are not where we want them to be."

Trump announced the removal of 5,000 U.S. troops and long-range missiles from bases in Germany. The missiles had been placed in Germany under former President Joe Biden to deter future Russian aggression. Europe's goal of achieving strategic autonomy from U.S. military strength would take decades to achieve.

The summit took place as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the prospects for ending the conflict during the gathering. "This summer will be a moment when Vladimir Putin decides what to do next. We must push him towards diplomacy. They can't afford military equipment, it shows they are not strong now," Zelensky said.

The United Kingdom is negotiating to join an EU-led £78 billion (€90 billion) loan scheme to support Ukraine. "It's of great benefit to Ukraine, but also the jobs it'll create in the United Kingdom," Starmer said of the negotiations. The talks have been accompanied by reported EU demands that Britain pay £1 billion a year in exchange for a relationship reset.

Tuesday's gathering marked Armenia's first-ever direct meeting with the European Union, a development at which Russia has expressed discontent. European Political Community gatherings are intended to be less formal than other multilateral meetings.