Main Outcomes of Big Diplomacy in Armenia
Political
The 8th European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Yerevan served as a mirror to the profound transformations gripping the continent. Amidst the absence of key figures, pressure from new threats out of Washington, and the search for alternative energy security paths, leaders from over 40 nations attempted to outline the contours of an "independent Europe." From historic visits to sharp verbal duels, this gathering in the Armenian capital will be remembered as Brussels and its allies' attempt to maintain unity amidst a global storm.
The EPC summit in Yerevan underscored the growing distance between Europe and the United States. The absence of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, caused by a conflict with Donald Trump over tariffs and defense issues, created a political vacuum that was unexpectedly filled by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. His participation marked the first time a non-European leader attended the forum, proposing a coalition of "middle powers" to counter pressure from both Washington and Beijing.
Special attention was focused on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who, during numerous meetings, called for increased military support and warned against easing sanctions on Russia. A sensation at the plenary session was his call to develop a "unified European voice" for future diplomatic contacts with the Kremlin. Meanwhile, the atmosphere of "smiles and handshakes" was interrupted by a sharp exchange: Roberta Metsola delivered a firm response to Ilham Aliyev’s criticism of the European Parliament, emphasizing the steadfastness of democratic procedures despite Baku's grievances.
The economic agenda was driven by the fear of a new energy dependency. Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen explicitly labeled reliance on fossil fuels and the "American defense umbrella" as the EU's primary vulnerabilities. Against this backdrop, a breakthrough in relations with London emerged: the UK expressed readiness to participate in a 90-billion-euro military loan for Ukraine. This financial "reboot" between Brussels and London could serve as the foundation for the new 150-billion-euro SAFE European defense strategy, transforming the Yerevan summit from a mere discussion platform into a site for strategic decision-making.
Special attention was focused on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who, during numerous meetings, called for increased military support and warned against easing sanctions on Russia. A sensation at the plenary session was his call to develop a "unified European voice" for future diplomatic contacts with the Kremlin. Meanwhile, the atmosphere of "smiles and handshakes" was interrupted by a sharp exchange: Roberta Metsola delivered a firm response to Ilham Aliyev’s criticism of the European Parliament, emphasizing the steadfastness of democratic procedures despite Baku's grievances.
The economic agenda was driven by the fear of a new energy dependency. Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen explicitly labeled reliance on fossil fuels and the "American defense umbrella" as the EU's primary vulnerabilities. Against this backdrop, a breakthrough in relations with London emerged: the UK expressed readiness to participate in a 90-billion-euro military loan for Ukraine. This financial "reboot" between Brussels and London could serve as the foundation for the new 150-billion-euro SAFE European defense strategy, transforming the Yerevan summit from a mere discussion platform into a site for strategic decision-making.
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