US Defense Secretary Warns Russia Will Pay a Price if Ukraine War Continues

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking at the opening of the NATO Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels, stressed that the US would take necessary steps alongside its allies to make Russia pay for its continued aggression if the war in Ukraine does not end soon.

Hegseth highlighted that under the policies of the Trump administration, European investment in Ukraine’s defense has significantly increased in recent months. “Of course, the US will do its part, but Europeans must continue to take primary responsibility for the conventional defense of the continent,” he said.

The Defense Secretary noted that NATO allies have provided over $2 billion in aid to Ukraine since August through the “PURL” initiative, which facilitates the supply of US weapons to Ukraine. “Allies often say that Ukraine’s security is synonymous with European security. If so, now is the time for all NATO countries to turn their words into action through PURL investments,” Hegseth stated.

He emphasized the urgent need to end the war in Ukraine, warning that if peace is not achieved in the short term, the US and its allies will take the necessary steps to hold Russia accountable for its ongoing aggression.

Hegseth reiterated that the US is prepared to do its part and everything within its capacity to address the situation. He also underscored that the most effective deterrents against Russian aggression are a European-led NATO with lethal capabilities and a self-sufficient Ukrainian military.