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Pentagon tells allies to prepare for prolonged war in Ukraine as Ramstein focuses on air defense
At the September 8 virtual Ramstein-format meeting, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense for Military Policy Elbridge Colby told allies to be ready for a prolonged conflict in Ukraine and to scale up ammunition and critical capabilities, including through the PURL mechanism. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said allies have directed more than $10 billion over the past year to PURL and to U.S. weapons purchases for Ukraine, with deliveries continuing without interruption. The meeting's main focus was urgent reinforcement of Ukraine's air defense ahead of winter, with Germany announcing a PAC-2 missile transfer, the UK pledging an air-defense package, and the EU approving a €3.2 billion purchase of Patriot missiles.