Russia is rebuilding its armed forces and defence-industrial capacity, and Europe should be prepared for the war in Ukraine and its security consequences to persist for months or years, according to Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s top policy official.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Colby said the US administration continues to seek a durable peace but military planners cannot assume that the war will end quickly.
He warned that Russia is rebuilding both its forces and defence production capacity, meaning Ukraine’s military requirements may remain substantial for a prolonged period. European allies, he said, should be ready to sustain or increase support where necessary.
Europe expected to shoulder more responsibility
The message goes beyond Ukraine. Washington is again signalling that European countries should take a larger share of responsibility for both assistance to Kyiv and their own defence. That includes maintaining ammunition and weapons deliveries while expanding domestic production capacity.
For European governments, this means rebuilding national armed forces and supporting Ukraine at the same time, with continued demand for ammunition, air-defence systems and other military equipment.
Colby’s warning also highlights the longer-term challenge posed by Russia even if active hostilities eventually end. Moscow has expanded military production during the war and is simultaneously replacing battlefield losses.
At the same meeting, the UK announced £100 million for strengthening Ukrainian air defence, including purchases of US-made weapons, while Germany pledged further Patriot missile deliveries.
For Europe’s defence industry, the message is that elevated demand may persist well beyond any potential ceasefire.
Sources: Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Ukrinform, Interfax-Ukraine; adapted from ManagerPlus.pl.
