EPC summit: Europe has 'gotten the message' from Trump

 "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," said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in what was perceived as a thinly veiled comment about the US.

Carney is the first non-European leader to attend the EPC, and the move is seen as Ottawa's latest attempt to diversify both diplomatic ties and trade away from dependency on its southern neighbor. 

Canada also become the first non-European country to join the EU's defense financing scheme.

"We're the most European of non-European countries, so there's many ways that we can work together," Carney told reporters in Yerevan.

Addressing the EPC, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that gathered members should "develop one common European voice" in response to the US-led war with Iran, even if they "understand" Washington's position and remain in close contact with leaders there.

He also used his speech to call for assurances from allies that Ukraine would continue to get support for much-needed anti-missile defense systems.

At the same time, he announced that Kyiv and the European Union had advanced on a major drone deal after he spoke with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said at the opening of the EPC summit that Europe has "heard" Washington's frustration over its conflict with Iran and are "stepping up."

"European leaders have gotten the message. They heard the message loud and clear," Rutte said, acknowledging "disappointment on the US side" on European nations' resistance to joining the war.

His comments came shortly after President Donald Trump announced a major withdrawal of US troops from Germany — which was itself seemingly prompted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying the US was being "humilitated" by Iran.

"Europeans are stepping up, a bigger role for Europe and a stronger NATO," Rutte added.

French President Emmanuel Macron also addressed the troop drawback, saying that Europe needed to learn to live without depending on the US for defense.

"Europeans are taking their destiny into their own hands, increasing their defence and security spending, and building their own common solutions," the French leader said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed Macron's sentiments, saying "we have to step up our military capabilities to be able to defend and protect ourselves."

The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas called Trump's move a "surprise", but said there had been talk of a wind-down for US troops for some time.

The European Politicial Community (EPC) is compromised of 44 member states, including all EU member countries as well as non-EU nations in Europe, Turkey, and some countries in the Caucasus. 

Several other world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, are attending as guests.

It was founded in 2022 in reaction the Russian invasion of Ukraine.It's format is for high-level talks and debate, not to make binding agreements.

This most recent meeting is expected to focus on defense amidst the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Iran, as well as the threat of energy insecurity these global conflicts pose.

As the group meets in Armenia, shoring up democracy in that country and supporting its peace process with Azerbaijan is also on the agenda.

Leaders from 48 countries are gathering in Yerevan, Armenia, for the latest European Political Community summit under the shadow of wars in Iran and Ukraine.

These high-level talks will be followed by the first-ever summit between the European Union and Armenia.

Check back here for the latest from the EPC.