European Nations Boost Ukraine Defense with PURL US Weapon Packages

The fifth and sixth packages of American weapons under the PURL initiative are currently being discussed in talks with the United States. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, as of the morning of September 30, European countries have already expressed willingness to join the upcoming 5th package: Belgium, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Iceland and Luxembourg. This is driven by the aim of ensuring Ukraine can receive support quickly and in a targeted manner.

Zelensky stressed that since August partners have funded several packages of weapons provided by the United States: the Netherlands – $578 million, 1st package; Denmark, Norway and Sweden together – $495 million, 2nd package; Germany expressed its intention to finance the 3rd package for $500 million, and Canada joined the 4th package for $500 million.

The PURL initiative is a very valuable NATO mechanism that turns allied support into tangible capabilities for Ukraine. It gives us the ability to purchase defensive weapons that are needed now to save lives, including Patriot systems and other key American equipment, and it is already delivering real results

The program’s aim is to provide about $1 billion per month within the framework of the initiative, to fully realize its potential.

What is known about the PURL program

On July 14, the United States and NATO signed the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List agreement, which envisions sending American weapons to Ukraine at the expense of European countries. According to the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, under the agreement Kyiv can receive a large number of air defense systems, missiles and munitions.

It is known that Denmark allocated about 580 million Danish kroner through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), Sweden – $275 million, and Norway – about $135 million. Earlier, the Netherlands financed the first aid package under PURL for €500 million. Germany also joined the program.

On September 18, a NATO representative said that the first military equipment provided under the US-NATO agreement within the PURL program had arrived in Ukraine. More deliveries are expected soon.

After a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on September 24, Volodymyr Zelensky noted that two months after the creation of the PURL program its funding has already reached $2.1 billion. Rutte stressed that it is important to increase contributions and the number of participating countries in the initiative.