Counting on up to US$16 billion: Ukraine outlines its expectations regarding US weapons
Ukraine, along with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, expects the US weapons procurement programme to continue in 2026.
Alona Hetmanchuk, Head of Ukraine's diplomatic mission to NATO, pointed out that peace talks with Russia should not be interpreted by partners as a reason to slow or cut support for Ukraine. "On the contrary, we expect announcements on accelerating and increasing support," she said.
The ambassador made it clear that funding for the US weapons procurement programme, PURL, is still a top priority. "There is around US$4 billion now, including countries that have already contributed and those signaling readiness to do it. We plan to reach US$5 billion by the end of the year," she said, confirming the NATO secretary general's statement.
However, Hetmanchuk expects slightly more funding for 2026 than the NATO chief announced.
"For Ukraine, it's crucial that the programme doesn't end in 2025. Next year, we aim to secure between US$12 and US$16 billion worth of US weapons deliveries," she said.
Hetmanchuk also said the group of sponsors for these weapons purchases will be expanded.
"Currently, 18 countries have announced their participation in the programme… We expect that after this meeting, the number of PURL participants will grow, including countries that have not contributed so far, starting with NATO partner countries," she said, without naming potential sponsors.
The ambassador of Ukraine mentioned that some countries provide funding even though financing US weapons purchases is not popular in their societies.
"There are countries that are not ready to publicly announce their participation in PURL, and others that are willing to announce it but keep the amount undisclosed. However, there has been no precedent of a country promising funds and then failing to provide them," she added.
The NATO secretary general revealed the amount of US weapons Ukraine will receive this year and outlined the plans for 2026.
Ukraine's Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal spoke with the NATO chief earlier about strengthening Ukraine's air defence