NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed confidence that additional European allies will contribute to financing U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine, reinforcing the Eastern European nation’s defense amid ongoing Russian attacks. The announcement comes during NATO defense ministers’ meetings in Brussels, where officials discussed the escalation of Russian drone strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure and the need for sustained military support.

Expansion of the PURL Initiative

Rutte highlighted the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, launched in August, which enables NATO allies and Canada to purchase U.S.-manufactured weapons and ammunition for Ukraine. So far, participating countries have pledged €2 billion ($2.3 billion) to support the initiative.

“I have every reason to assume today that many other countries will sign up,” Rutte said, emphasizing the importance of continued European support.

The weaponry provided under PURL includes critical systems such as air defense platforms and interceptors, designed to protect Ukrainian civilians and key infrastructure from ongoing Russian assaults.

U.S. Leadership and NATO Coordination

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth underscored the importance of strong military capabilities in securing peace. “You get peace when you are strong, not when you use strong words or wag your finger. You get it when you have strong and real capabilities that adversaries respect,” Hegseth said.

PURL reflects U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for NATO allies to share the financial burden of providing military aid to Ukraine, allowing the United States to focus on maintaining strategic readiness while allies support Kyiv.

Participating NATO Members and Future Prospects

Several NATO countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, have already joined the initiative. However, it remains uncertain whether larger European economies such as France, Italy, and Spain will participate. Analysts suggest that PURL allows nations to provide aid without straining domestic stockpiles or national arms production capabilities, though countries with protectionist industrial policies may face challenges in adopting the program.

Upcoming Meetings and Ukraine’s Needs

Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal will join NATO ministers for discussions on battlefield conditions and Ukraine’s military requirements. The talks will be followed by the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, an international forum that coordinates military assistance from approximately 40 countries. While previously led by the U.S., the group is now jointly steered by the UK and Germany.

Strategic Context: NATO Readiness and Russian Threats

The NATO ministerial consultations mark the first meeting since the alliance launched a new mission in September to enhance airspace protection for Eastern European members following repeated Russian airspace violations.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey warned, “Putin should be in no doubt. If NATO is threatened, we will act, and we must meet his escalation with our strength.” The meeting will be followed by discussions among EU defense ministers to improve the bloc’s military readiness ahead of the leaders’ summit later this month.