Rutte expects new billions from allies for US weapons

Ukraine war

Rutte expects new billions from allies for US weapons

According to the NATO Secretary General’s wishes, the new US initiative to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine should be accompanied by new military aid. Is there enough money for that?

Germany and other NATO states are expected to continue buying American weapons and ammunition for Ukraine next year for at least one billion US dollars (0.9 billion euros) per month. It is about the acquisition of crucial equipment such as interceptor missiles for air defense systems, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at a meeting with the foreign ministers of the alliance states in Brussels. But offensive systems would also be needed.

According to the information, the armaments are to be procured through the so-called Purl initiative. It was launched this year to meet demands from US President Donald Trump. He is of the opinion that the USA has had a far too large share of Ukraine support in the past and now wants the other allies to pay for further US military aid.

The initiative envisages US-made ammunition and weapons being sold to European allies and Canada – and they then making them available to Ukraine. Purl stands for Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List. In German this means something like: Prioritized list of needs for Ukraine.

Federal Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul (CDU) announced at the NATO meeting that Germany would provide a total of $200 million (around €172 million) for two new packages of US military equipment for Ukraine. They are being put together jointly with Poland, Norway and the Netherlands and are in addition to an already funded $500 million package. However, these contributions no longer count for the coming year, as they are needed to cover needs this year.