11 Jul 17. The July 2017 G20 summit reflected the growing distance between the EU and the US, on climate and trade specifically, but in a broader sense too. The EU, it seems, has started to address this issue in the field of defence, as apparent from the Council Conclusion of 23-24 June. These were somewhat unique as they put defence and security front and centre. Barring the Councils surrounding the creation of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) and the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) over fifteen years ago, it is difficult to recall another time when these hard-core issues were debated and decided at the highest level of the EU.