Japan plans to join NATO-led initiative supplying US weapons to Ukraine

Japan is planning to join a NATO-led initiative aimed at supplying US-made munitions and equipment to Ukraine, according to multiple NATO officials cited by NHK.

The mechanism was established by NATO and the United States in July 2025 to coordinate the purchase and delivery of US-manufactured weapons and military equipment for Ukraine. More than 20 NATO member states, including Germany and the Netherlands, have already committed to contributing to the initiative, while Australia and New Zealand have also pledged to take part.

Through this framework, the alliance has already delivered missiles for Ukraine’s Patriot air-defence systems, along with other military items. NATO officials said Japan is expected to formally announce its participation in the near future.

According to the officials, Japan’s contribution would be limited to financial support for non-lethal defensive equipment. Possible items include radar systems and bulletproof vests. They added that Tokyo has already briefed several NATO member states as well as Ukraine on its plans.

One NATO official emphasised that even non-lethal equipment is critically important for Ukraine’s defence and described Japan’s planned involvement as a significant step within the initiative.

Japan’s move comes against the backdrop of a shift in US policy following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. Since then, Washington has scaled back its assistance to Ukraine and has not approved new aid packages under the previous format.

In July 2025, the United States and NATO launched the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, program, which provides for the supply of US-made weapons to Ukraine financed by European countries. The program enables Kyiv to receive air-defence systems, missiles, ammunition, and other military equipment. By September, the first deliveries under the PURL framework had already reached Ukraine.

At the end of December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that more than 20 countries — specifically 24 — had joined the PURL initiative.

February 24 will mark four years since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. As the war continues, signs of fatigue are becoming visible among some Western countries in their support for Ukraine.

By Tamilla Hasanova