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How NATO, European partners, and the United States are strengthening Ukraine through the PURL initiative

One of the key mechanisms for meeting Ukraine’s critical needs in U.S.-manufactured weapons and defense equipment is PURL.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine outlines in detail how the initiative operates and which countries have already joined.  

PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) is an initiative launched by the United States and NATO to supply Ukraine with critically needed weapons by funding the delivery of U.S.-manufactured arms and equipment through NATO member states. The mechanism allows partner countries to finance the procurement of such weapons according to a prioritized list of requirements defined by Ukraine and agreed with the United States and NATO.

The initiative enables NATO member states to coordinate contributions to make funding more targeted and timely. Rather than conducting separate procurements, each country contributes financially to a common package that the United States uses to supply weapons and critical equipment, particularly those that cannot be substituted by European alternatives. This enables a substantial reduction in the time from defining requirements to delivering ready-to-use weaponry to the front lines.

How PURL works

  1. Defining requirements. Ukraine defines critically important weapons and equipment required for defense, including air-defense systems, artillery ammunition, and other strategic components.
  2. Joint approval. Ukraine, NATO, and the United States jointly approve the prioritized monthly requirements for critical items.
  3. Funding from allies. NATO member states, excluding the United States, provide financial contributions for the procurement of specified priority U.S.-manufactured weapons.
  4. Weapons delivery. Once funding is secured, the United States delivers the required weapons, equipment, and munitions to Ukraine. Each month’s requirement is estimated at approximately $1 billion, comprising two $500 million packages.

Countries that have already joined PURL

  • The Netherlands was the first to join the initiative, allocating €500 million (approximately $578 million) for the procurement of Patriot air defense systems and other air defense assets.
  • Denmark, Norway, and Sweden jointly financed a package worth $495 million, which includes munitions for HIMARS and other critical supplies.
  • Germany announced its readiness to allocate $500 million for the procurement of U.S.-manufactured weapons.
  • Canada confirmed its $500 million contribution aimed at addressing Ukraine’s requirements.
  • Latvia allocated €5 million in support of the PURL initiative.
  • Belgium, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Iceland, and Luxembourg announced their readiness to join the fifth funding package.

Total contributions to date exceed $2 billion.

Advantages of PURL

First, the mechanism accelerates the supply of weapons, as procurement is carried out directly from existing U.S. stockpiles. 

Second, it allows for the focused allocation of resources toward Ukraine’s immediate priorities. 

Finally, PURL streamlines administrative procedures, as coordination is conducted centrally through NATO, thereby enhancing coherence while reducing bureaucracy and overlap.

To maintain a steady supply of weapons, regular contributions from all partners are essential, with a target funding level of approximately $1 billion per month. It is therefore essential to involve the broadest possible range of countries to fully meet the diverse requirements of the front lines.

The PURL initiative is an important step in providing Ukraine with the weapons necessary for effective defense. The joint efforts of NATO, its member states, and the United States enable a rapid response to front-line needs and ensure the steady supply of critically important systems.

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