US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated at the meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's defense issues in Brussels that if Russia refuses to choose the path to peace, the allies will make it pay for its aggression.
«If this war does not end, if there is no path to peace in the short term, the US along with its allies will take necessary steps to make Russia pay for continuing its aggression. If we have to take this step, the US Department of War will be ready to do its part in the way that only the US can», — emphasized Hegseth.
He noted that all European NATO allies should join the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine through the PURL initiative.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new aid package for Ukraine, under which Ukraine will be provided with assistance worth more than 2 billion euros, of which 500 million dollars will come through the PURL initiative. This will meet a number of Ukraine's urgent needs in air defense systems, artillery, and ammunition.
Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported that US President Donald Trump is ready to impose tariffs of up to 500% against China if Beijing continues to purchase Russian oil, but «European allies must be ready to join this».
Previously, the US and the EU repeatedly raised the issue of China's support for Russia's aggression, despite sanctions. Beijing officially declares a neutral position, however, Chinese customs data indicates an increase in the supply of components for drones, which are daily destroying Ukraine's energy system.
Today, emergency power outage schedules have been introduced in all regions of Ukraine, except for the Donetsk and part of the Chernihiv regions, due to the consequences of Russian attacks, the Ministry of Energy reported. Meanwhile, planned outages are in effect in the Chernihiv region.
Photo: AP