Estonia backs NATO's Ukraine strategy with arms, industry, troops

Estonia has officially joined the PURL initiative, a US-and NATO-backed mechanism aimed at accelerating military assistance to Ukraine through the coordinated purchase of American weapons.

The announcement was made by Estonian President Alar Karis during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

“I want to state today that Estonia supports this initiative fully, and we will gladly participate in that effort,” Karis declared, reaffirming Tallinn’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine’s defence and sovereignty in the face of continued Russian aggression.

The PURL initiative—short for Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List—enables partner countries to fund the procurement of US-made weapons and military equipment for Ukraine, streamlining delivery and reducing logistical delays. Estonia now joins other key NATO members, including the Netherlands, Germany, and Canada, which have already made significant contributions through the program.

President Karis highlighted Estonia’s substantial support to Kyiv, stating that Tallinn has allocated 0.3% of its GDP this year alone for direct military aid to Ukraine. He also emphasized the rapidly growing defence cooperation between Estonian and Ukrainian industries, particularly in the production and development of military technologies.

Beyond financial and industrial collaboration, Karis reiterated Estonia’s readiness to contribute troops to a potential post-war peacekeeping mission under the Coalition of the Willing.

“The Estonian government is ready to provide troops to the Coalition of the Willing to ensure peace in Ukraine,” he stated.

Karis also reaffirmed Estonia’s firm backing of Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration, asserting that Tallinn would continue to support Ukraine’s path toward full NATO membership.

The Coalition of the Willing, a multinational security framework currently in formation, has already signaled its preparedness to deploy deterrence forces after the cessation of hostilities, and assist in securing Ukraine’s air and maritime space, as well as in rebuilding its armed forces.

On August 20, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that Tallinn is ready to deploy a peacekeeping company to Ukraine within the coalition framework.

In contrast, Germany has declined to send troops to Ukraine, citing the burden of an existing Bundeswehr deployment in Lithuania, which Berlin argues makes additional commitments unfeasible.

By Vafa Guliyeva