The US undersecretary of defence, Elbridge Colby, has told European countries that they “must not slacken” in their remilitarisation and their backing for Ukraine, according to the Guardian. His comments came during a virtual meeting aimed at securing 300 Patriot interceptors for Kyiv.

Colby, described by the Guardian as an influential Pentagon official, praised Ukraine’s recent “stout defence” against Russian forces. He said the defence proved that Europe was capable of leading the defence of its own continent from Russian aggression, rather than relying on the United States.

The remarks reflect a continuing US message that European nations should take greater responsibility for their own security and for supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Alongside the meeting, the UK committed £100m to bolster Ukraine’s air defences, according to the Guardian. Air defence capability has been a central concern for Kyiv as it seeks to protect against Russian missile and drone attacks.

The focus on securing 300 Patriot interceptors underscores the emphasis on missile defence systems, which are used to intercept incoming threats. The virtual meeting brought together the effort to supply Ukraine with these interceptors.