Remarks by Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (As Delivered via Video Teleconference) June 18, 2026

Thank you very much, Minister Pistorius and Secretary Jarvis for convening this important group once again.

I would like to start out by recognizing and expressing our appreciation to Secretary General Rutte for hosting this week's important Defense Ministerial and for his continued, visionary leadership.

It is also a privilege to follow President Zelenskyy. Allow me to express our admiration for his country's brave and stout self-defense.

Ladies and gentlemen, from the beginning of last year, this Administration has contended that Europe could and would take the leading role in providing for its conventional defense, including by providing the great bulk of support for Ukraine - and that such an approach would be consistent with a viable Ukrainian defense. We regard this policy as having been borne out.

First, in the past year, European allies have taken the leading role in supporting Ukraine's defense, assuming the responsibility for the financial support of Ukraine as well as providing their own arms to Ukraine. At the same time, we have been prepared to provide weaponry purchased by Europe for Ukraine's defense through President Trump's PURL initiative, which we've discussed already today, and allies have contributed significantly to this signature example of practical, results-oriented transatlantic cooperation.

Second, that transition of support to Europe has not only been implemented - it has been correlated with a sustained effective defense by Ukraine. Indeed, without engage in hyperbole, in recent months we have reason to think Ukraine's situation has even improved. This is critical. Europe not only can take more responsibility for its own defense - that assumption of responsibility can be consistent with a strong and stout European defense, if Europe meets the needs of the moment, as we have just heard how important that is.

In the war, Ukraine has managed to hold the front line, and even improve its position in some places, continuing to lay the groundwork for a lasting peace built on Russia's understanding that perpetuating this war is not only condemnable but also will not pay off for Moscow. This provides a critical underpinning for the peace that we under President Trump's visionary leadership are seeking.

Let us not lose sight of the task before us, though.

Much has been done - but far more remains.

Ukraine's defense does hold but continued and sustained support from allies is essential to maintain it.

It is important that NATO allies continue - and indeed, increase - their support for Ukraine's defense through the PURL initiative.

This will help to ensure that key materiel continues to reach the Ukrainian frontline, enabling Ukraine's forces to deny further Russian advances. The denial of defense approach has proven effective thus far - maintaining and strengthening it will be important in the weeks and months ahead.

We also intend to continue supporting mechanisms that facilitate European support to Ukraine. While PURL enables immediate battlefield requirements, Europe must also be prepared to resource Ukraine's persistent needs through new procurement.

Through the JUMPSTART mechanism, we are enabling allies and partners to leverage the scale of the U.S. defense industrial base to secure critical, exquisite capabilities for Ukraine, such as air defense interceptors.

We in the United States hear time and again how vital Ukraine's defense is for Europe and for our allies.

President Trump has been very clear that we have heeded that - but that our allies must back words with actions.

This is an opportunity for Europe to do precisely that - and in the process help to set and strengthen the conditions for lasting peace in Ukraine that the previous speakers have already laid out as our shared goal.

In doing so, Europe can show what an ally-led defense of Europe looks like - what it is capable of - in the process strengthening Europe's continental defense and deterrence on a last basis and providing the very strong underpinnings for NATO 3.0.

Europe has shown it is capable of fortifying Ukraine. This is the moment to capitalize on early successes and press ahead.

The decision is now before you to take advantage of it, as President Trump has called on NATO to do, and as Secretary Hegseth laid out earlier today.

Thank you very much.