Pentagon: Russia rebuilding army and defense industry, war in Ukraine may drag on

Russia is rebuilding its armed forces and defense-industrial potential, so allies must prepare for a protracted conflict, and Ukraine's needs for military support may persist for months and years to come.

This was stated by US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

Colby emphasized that the goal of President Donald Trump's administration remains achieving lasting peace, but the Pentagon cannot predict exactly when the war will end.

"Russia is rebuilding its forces and defense-industrial potential. We must be prepared for a prolonged conflict and for the fact that Ukraine's needs will persist for the coming months and years", he said.

According to Colby, allies must also be prepared for other possible crisis scenarios. That is why Europe needs to simultaneously continue supporting Ukraine, accelerate its own rearmament, and restore industrial capacities of the defense sector.

Pentagon urges increasing aid through PURL

One of Colby's main tasks was to continue and, if necessary, increase support for Ukraine's urgent needs on the battlefield through the PURL program, within which European allies finance the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine.

According to him, uninterrupted supply of ammunition and critical military equipment already demonstrates effectiveness and remains necessary for Ukrainian forces to hold the front and prevent Russia from advancing further.

Colby noted that in recent months, Ukrainian forces have been able to maintain a stable defense, holding the front line while simultaneously countering Russian air attacks.

In his opinion, this shows that increasing Europe's responsibility for its own defense can be combined with maintaining Ukraine's strong defense capability.

Europe urged to plan purchases years ahead

The Pentagon also called on European nations to start transitioning to long-term arms procurement planning now. They must simultaneously ensure the future restoration of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the security needs of European countries themselves.

Colby welcomed Europe's increased investments in its own defense industry, but stressed that such investments should complement the American defense industrial base.

"We must plan and execute our investments based on military effectiveness, not secondary goals", the Pentagon representative said.

According to him, supporting Ukraine simultaneously contributes to strengthening the military potential and industrial base of Europe itself. But for this, political statements must be transformed into real financial investments and increased production capacities.

US to continue supplying critical systems

Colby stated that the United States is ready to continue supporting these efforts. Through the JUMPSTART program, allies and partners can purchase high-tech American weapons for Ukraine, including interceptor missiles for air defense systems.

The Pentagon representative also reminded that NATO allies previously agreed to provide support to Ukraine on a predictable, stable, and fairly shared basis.

Now, according to him, these commitments must turn into permanent funding for Ukraine's defense, expansion of weapons production, and formation of military forces and industrial base that Europe will need for decades ahead.

Colby also linked this approach with the concept of NATO 3.0, which envisages greater responsibility of European allies for the continent's conventional defense and a gradual transition to a more resilient model in which Europe plays a leading role.

Based on materials from: Pentagon