U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby met with 12 European ambassadors this week and reported on social media: “I had a very productive set of engagements with NATO colleagues yesterday, including a working dinner with twelve European ambassadors. In each, we had frank and productive discussions about NATO 3.0 and the urgent need for our allies to increase defense spending and accelerate burden-sharing to enable a European-led conventional defense of the continent.”
[NOTE: The U.S. accounts for more than half of NATO defense spending, though many European members contribute higher shares of their GDP to defense within the alliance.]
I had a very productive set of engagements with NATO colleagues yesterday, including a working dinner with twelve European ambassadors. In each, we had frank and productive discussions about NATO 3.0 and the urgent need for our allies to increase defense spending and accelerate… pic.twitter.com/q0EHfyJ5iI
— Under Secretary of War Elbridge Colby (@USWPColby) April 28, 2026
Colby, who supports reducing U.S. military aid to Ukraine and opposes its membership in NATO, added: “Fortunately, there is strong support for the NATO 3.0 concept. It is now essential that this rhetoric moves quickly to action.”
Fortunately, there is strong support for the NATO 3.0 concept. It is now essential that this rhetoric moves quickly to action. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/I8eBb62p8C
— Under Secretary of War Elbridge Colby (@USWPColby) April 28, 2026
Not all Republicans agree with Colby’s view. In an op-ed for The Washington Post this week, pro-Ukraine U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) criticized Colby for his reported role in delaying the congressionally authorized $400 million Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
McConnell, who chairs the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, wrote: “Ukraine aid we passed months ago is now collecting dust at the Pentagon. When Senate appropriators have sought an explanation from the department’s policy shop, led by Undersecretary Elbridge Colby, they’ve been stonewalled. Our colleagues on armed services have also expressed growing frustration with the Defense Department’s inability to communicate.”
After McConnell’s op-ed was published, Hegseth announced on Wednesday that the $400 million in Ukraine support has been released.