Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby said NATO’s current approach “is no longer fit for purpose.”

Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby called for NATO to “build partnerships, not dependencies” and said Europe must take primary responsibility for its defence.

The U.S. official met with NATO defense ministers in Brussels on Thursday and spoke Comment Calling for “sober realism and fundamental adaptation for all.”

He pointed out that the current approach of the military alliance is “no longer fit for purpose” and that the new “NATO 3.0” requires “our allies to make greater efforts to strengthen and assume the main responsibility for Europe’s conventional defense.”

He insisted that the United States’ reprioritization of its interests was not a retreat from Europe but “an affirmation of strategic pragmatism and an endorsement of the undeniable ability of our allies to step up.”

Colby said the United States would continue to provide an extended nuclear deterrent and contribute to NATO’s defense “in a more limited and focused manner” and “train, exercise and plan with our allies.”

“But we will also continue to push for a rebalancing of roles and burdens within the league in a respectful but firm and persistent manner,” he added.

PURL Commitment

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte explain At a press conference on Thursday, he said the meeting was “one of the most critical meetings” he had ever attended.

He said he believed that in the long term, the U.S. “nuclear umbrella will be the ultimate guarantor of our security in Europe and Canada, as well as a strong conventional U.S. presence in Europe.”

He told reporters that NATO countries had announced hundreds of millions of dollars in support of the Ukraine Priority Needs List (PURL). The initiative provides Ukraine with U.S.-made equipment and ammunition.

Rutte thanked Britain, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Lithuania for their donations and said he expected more pledges soon.

“The good news is billions of dollars are pouring in,” he said.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for more protection from Russian attacks.

“Patriot is the most effective against Russian ballistic missiles, and these systems require missile supplies every day,” he said, thanking those who contribute to the PURL program.

“Everything currently in the air defense program should come sooner. Kudos to the leaders who understand this and help.”