European Leaders Forge Trilateral Alliance Amid Global Tensions
Berlin – Leaders from Britain, France, and Germany are quietly shaping a new security and diplomatic framework, rebirthing the “E3” format into a more expansive and coordinated partnership. This developing alliance marks the strongest trilateral cooperation among the three powers since the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in 2016, signaling an era of renewed strategic alignment on European soil.
A Berlin Summit Sets the Tone
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a private working dinner in Berlin on November 18, 2025. The evening’s central topics reflected the gravity of Europe’s current challenges: Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the instability of the Middle East, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and transatlantic coordination amid shifting global power balances. According to government sources, the leaders agreed to institutionalize regular trilateral consultations, replacing the ad hoc approach that had previously defined their cooperation.
Officials familiar with the discussion described a pragmatic and professional atmosphere. While ideological differences were downplayed, a shared sense of urgency prevailed. Starmer focused on rebuilding Britain's credibility as a European partner after Brexit, Macron underscored the need for European strategic autonomy, and Merz sought to assert Germany’s leadership in defense policy after years of cautious diplomacy.
The Return of the E3 Framework
The E3 arrangement is not new. It first emerged in 2003 when the foreign ministers of the three nations joined forces to negotiate with Iran over its uranium enrichment program. However, today’s context gives the revived E3 a far broader scope. From Europe’s eastern front in Ukraine to supply chain security with China, the alliance aims to serve as a flexible platform for coordinated European action in a volatile world.
Benjamin Haddad, France’s minister for Europe, emphasized the natural synergy among the leaders. He told reporters that the trio “trust one another and share the conviction that Europe must take responsibility for its own security.” A senior German diplomat added that the E3 format has attracted positive attention even from across the Atlantic, noting that “Washington sees this as a sign of serious European commitment rather than competition.”
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the E3 as Europe’s “working muscle,” suggesting that it can act faster than wider EU structures while avoiding the bureaucracy that often hinders continental decision-making.
Rebuilding Trust After Brexit
For the United Kingdom, the E3 represents a route back into European strategic decision-making without formally rejoining the EU. Starmer, who came to power in 2024 on a platform of political stability and international cooperation, has sought to mend relationships frayed by years of Brexit disputes. His advisors view the E3 alliance as an opportunity for Britain to help shape European defense initiatives, cybersecurity cooperation, and intelligence sharing while maintaining its independent foreign policy.
German officials, meanwhile, see Britain’s participation as indispensable. Despite Brexit, the UK remains Europe’s leading military power alongside France, with nuclear capabilities and extensive global intelligence networks. For Macron, integrating Britain into a continental security dialogue strengthens his long-standing vision of European “strategic autonomy” — a concept calling for greater independence from U.S. defense structures while preserving transatlantic cooperation.
A Network of Pragmatic Leaders
All three leaders bring distinctly non-political backgrounds to their offices. Starmer began his career as a public prosecutor, Macron as an investment banker, and Merz as a corporate lawyer and business executive. Their shared technocratic mindset has translated into an emphasis on measurable outcomes and practical diplomacy. Behind closed doors, aides reportedly joke about their “bonding over political woes,” referring to their shared struggles with domestic unpopularity, fragile parliamentary majorities, and growing populist opposition movements.
This pragmatism, officials say, helps the E3 avoid the ideological baggage that often constrains international partnerships. Instead of grand rhetoric, the focus lies on deliverables — from weapons production and supply chain resilience to energy diversification and humanitarian coordination.
Coordinating on Ukraine and Defense
Ukraine remains the cornerstone of the E3 agenda. Since 2022, Europe has grappled with the challenge of supporting Kyiv while balancing economic costs and public fatigue. Britain and France now co-lead what officials describe as a “coalition of the willing” to establish a post-ceasefire reassurance force for Ukraine. Based near Paris, the mission aims to deter further Russian aggression and assist in reconstruction planning once active hostilities subside. Germany, while not contributing troops, has provided extensive logistical support, including armored vehicles, artillery systems, and contributions to the European Peace Facility.
On November 25, Chancellor Merz co-chaired a summit on coordinating long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, signaling Berlin’s readiness to assume a more assertive defense posture after years of underinvestment. France and Germany have already begun aligning arms procurement programs, while Britain’s defense industry is seeking joint contracts for next-generation missile and drone systems.
Aligning Policy on Iran and the Middle East
The E3’s early achievements in coordinating nuclear diplomacy with Iran have once again become relevant. With Tehran expanding its nuclear capabilities amid strained relations with Washington, the three countries have agreed to launch a new diplomatic initiative to re-engage Iran through European mediation.
Tensions in Gaza have added another layer of complexity. France and Britain’s recent recognition of a Palestinian state contrasts with Germany’s continued refusal, rooted in historical sensitivities linked to the Holocaust. Analysts warn that this divergence could test the E3’s cohesion if the conflict escalates. Still, diplomats insist that the strength of the partnership lies in its flexibility — allowing the nations to take differing positions while maintaining unified strategic dialogue.
Balancing Global Economic Pressures
Beyond defense, the E3 faces shared economic headwinds. Inflation, energy dependency, and supply chain vulnerabilities have forced European economies to rethink their industrial policies. France and Germany favor state-supported industrial modernization, while Britain prioritizes private investment and deregulation. Nevertheless, the three governments are exploring cooperation on critical technology sectors, including green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, and microchip production.
The economic logic behind the E3 is compelling: together, Britain, France, and Germany account for nearly half of Europe’s GDP. Closer coordination could bolster Europe’s competitiveness against global powers such as the United States and China while insulating it from trade disruptions. The initiative echoes the 1950s origins of European integration — when Paris and Bonn first sought to merge their economic destinies to secure lasting peace and prosperity.
Regional Comparisons and European Reactions
The response to the E3 from neighboring European countries has been mixed. Poland and Italy, both wary of being sidelined, have voiced unease about what they perceive as a Western Europe–centric decision-making club. Polish officials have argued that Eastern and Central European states, being geographically closest to Russia, deserve a stronger voice in security planning. Italy has pushed for greater inclusion, emphasizing that Europe’s southern front — particularly migration through the Mediterranean — must not be overlooked.
To assuage concerns, the E3 leaders have launched outreach meetings with European Union institutions, NATO partners, and smaller European states. This “variable geometry” approach aims to ensure that the E3 works as a catalyst for broader cooperation rather than a replacement for EU or NATO mechanisms. French officials describe it as “multi-bilateralism” — an adaptable format that allows for different groupings depending on the issue.
Historical Context and Strategic Significance
Historically, European unity has tended to advance in response to crises. The aftermath of Brexit, the pandemic, and the invasion of Ukraine all accelerated moves toward more integrated defense and economic structures. The E3, observers note, fits this pattern. It mirrors past Franco-German alliances such as the Élysée Treaty of 1963 and subsequent treaties that tied the two nations closer together. Adding Britain as a third partner symbolizes not only reconciliation after Brexit but also the recognition that European security cannot be contained within EU borders alone.
The trilateral coalition also addresses a growing perception that the United States might reduce its security role in Europe. With Washington increasingly focused on the Indo-Pacific and domestic challenges, many European policymakers see the E3 as a way to shoulder greater responsibility for the continent’s safety and resilience.
Prospects and Challenges Ahead
Despite its momentum, the E3 faces structural and political obstacles. Britain’s exclusion from EU trade frameworks limits coordination on sanctions and economic policies. Budgetary constraints in Germany could slow defense spending increases, while France’s upcoming presidential election may shift priorities if domestic discontent deepens. Furthermore, maintaining U.S. confidence — while asserting European autonomy — will require delicate balancing.
Diplomatic analysts describe the E3’s challenge as walking “a tightrope between agility and legitimacy.” To succeed, the trio must avoid perceptions of exclusivity or bureaucratic dominance while delivering tangible security and economic results that benefit the wider continent.
A New Chapter in European Cooperation
For now, the November Berlin summit has set the tone for an evolving alliance rooted in pragmatism and shared strategic interests. The next trilateral meeting, tentatively planned for early 2026 in Paris, will likely expand discussions to digital sovereignty, energy transition, and European defense industrial policy. If the E3 manages to navigate its internal differences and maintain momentum, it may redefine what post-Brexit European cooperation looks like — not through institutions, but through relationships shaped by necessity, trust, and realism.
In a continent facing wars on its doorstep and shifting alliances abroad, the emerging partnership between London, Paris, and Berlin could mark the start of a new era of European leadership — one grounded in quiet determination rather than declarations, and built on the enduring principle that Europe’s security begins with unity.