The United States expects its NATO allies to increase arms purchases from U.S. manufacturers to meet Ukraine’s defense needs, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said ahead of the NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels on October 15.
The statement refers to the PURL initiative, launched under the administration of Donald Trump. Under this framework, the United States no longer supplies weapons directly to Ukraine but sells them to partner countries, which then transfer them to Kyiv. The purchases are made in accordance with Ukraine’s specific requests.
According to Hegseth, expanding arms deliveries to Ukraine, which continues to fight against Russia, is essential to achieving peace as soon as possible. “Peace comes when you are strong,” the Pentagon chief said.
The meeting in Brussels also includes a session of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (the so-called “Ramstein format”). NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that new countries — including Finland — will be announced as joining the PURL initiative. He noted that approximately $2 billion has already been allocated for arms purchases for Ukraine under this program. Current participants include Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.
Rutte added that the possible delivery of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine will not be discussed at the October 15 meeting, as this issue pertains to bilateral relations between the United States and Ukraine. It is expected to be raised during the meeting of the two presidents in Washington on October 17.
