BRUSSELS (MNN); US Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby has called for a shift in NATO’s structure, urging “partnerships, not dependencies” and stressing that Europe must assume primary responsibility for its own defence.
Speaking in Brussels during a meeting of NATO defence ministers on Thursday, Colby called for “clear-eyed realism and fundamental adaptation” within the alliance. He argued that NATO’s current approach is “no longer fit for purpose” and said a reformed “NATO 3.0” would require European allies to take greater responsibility for the continent’s conventional defence.
Colby maintained that Washington’s reprioritisation of its global interests does not signal a retreat from Europe, but rather reflects “strategic pragmatism” and recognition of allies’ capacity to shoulder more responsibility.
He said the United States would continue to provide its extended nuclear deterrent and contribute to NATO’s defence in a “more limited and focused” manner, while continuing joint training, exercises and planning with allies.
However, he added that the US would persist in pressing for a fairer distribution of responsibilities and burdens within the alliance.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described the meeting as one of the most pivotal he has attended. He expressed confidence that in the long term, the US nuclear umbrella would remain the ultimate security guarantee for Europe and Canada, alongside a strong American conventional military presence in Europe.
Rutte also announced that NATO members have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in support of the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), an initiative supplying Ukraine with US-made equipment and munitions. He thanked the United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Lithuania for their contributions and said additional pledges are expected soon.
“The good news is that the billions are coming in,” Rutte said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday called for increased protection against Russian missile attacks. He stressed that Patriot air defence systems are most effective against Russian ballistic missiles and urged faster delivery of missiles under the air defence programme.
“Everything that is currently in the air defence programme should come faster,” Zelenskyy said, thanking leaders who support the PURL initiative.
