Europe must continue to support Ukraine to maintain its defense – Deputy Secretary of Defense
Kyiv • UNN
Elbridge Colby stated that Europe plays a leading role in financing and arming the AFU through the PURL initiative. Ukraine's defense has strengthened and stabilized.
Support for Ukraine from European allies remains critically important for deterring Russian aggression and maintaining the country's defense capabilities. This was stated by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, UNN reports with reference to The Guardian.
According to him, Washington's policy of transferring greater responsibility for supporting Ukraine to European allies has already yielded positive results.
Over the past year, European allies have taken a leading role in supporting Ukraine's defense. They have taken responsibility for financial assistance to Ukraine, as well as for the supply of their own weaponry
He recalled that the United States continues to facilitate the provision of weapons to Ukraine through President Donald Trump's PURL initiative, under which European countries purchase American weaponry for the Ukrainian army.
We are ready to supply weaponry purchased by Europe for Ukraine's defense through President Trump's PURL initiative. Allies have already made a significant contribution to this example of practical transatlantic cooperation
In his conviction, the transfer of the primary role to Europe coincided with the preservation of the resilience of Ukrainian defense.
This transition of responsibility to Europe has not only taken place but has been accompanied by an effective defense of Ukraine. Ukraine's situation has even improved
He added that Ukrainian forces are not only holding the front line but are also improving their positions in certain directions.
Ukraine has been able to hold the front and even improve its position in some areas, continuing to create conditions for a lasting peace based on Russia's understanding that continuing this war is not only reprehensible but will also bring Moscow no benefit
At the same time, Colby stressed that further support from allies is necessary to maintain this resilience.
Ukraine's defense is holding, but constant and long-term support from partners is necessary to maintain it. We in the US constantly hear how important Ukraine's defense is for Europe and our allies. But allies must back up their words with actions