US deputy defence chief to visit NATO HQ, Patriot systems for Kyiv may be discussed

Tetyana Vysotska, VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - 27 August, 10:33

Elbridge Colby. Photo: Getty Images

Elbridge Colby, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, is visiting NATO headquarters in Brussels on 27 August as part of US plans to review its military presence in Europe, according to sources. The issue of providing Ukraine with interceptor missiles for Patriot air defence systems may also be raised.

Source: European Pravda, citing sources in NATO and diplomatic circles

Details: The main topic of Colby's visit to NATO on 27 August is the US military presence in Europe, although military assistance to Ukraine may also come up during the discussions.

"The United States is holding consultations with allies as part of a review of the deployment and structure of its forces. The US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy will take part in a meeting of the North Atlantic Council tomorrow as part of these ongoing consultations," a NATO official told European Pravda's Brussels correspondent.

Sources in Brussels diplomatic circles also confirmed to European Pravda that the main purpose of the North Atlantic Council meeting on 27 August is to discuss the review of the deployment and structure of US forces in Europe.

Nevertheless, NATO diplomats said the issue of Ukraine could be raised during discussions with the US official.

European Pravda has also learned that another meeting of the North Atlantic Council at ambassadorial level took place on Wednesday 26 August, during which issues concerning Ukraine were among the topics discussed.

Participants at the meeting discussed the urgent need to provide Ukraine with more military assistance, particularly PAC-3 interceptor missiles and Patriot systems, which are currently among its most pressing needs.

Financial assistance to Ukraine was also discussed, including funding to cover the shortfall in the country's defence budget.

Background:

Colby is visiting NATO headquarters in Brussels on 27 August.
The US Department of Defense is currently reviewing its military presence in Europe, which could pave the way for a reduction in the number of US troops on the continent.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe recently visited Moscow and, according to some reports, warned Russian officials against escalating tensions with US NATO allies, particularly Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

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