NATO says 90% of Ukraine’s air defence missiles supplied through PURL

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the vast majority of missiles used by Ukraine for air defence have been supplied through the PURL programme, a NATO-backed initiative that enables the procurement of US weapons using funds from allied countries.

Speaking during an address to the Ukrainian parliament on February 3, Rutte said that since last summer, NATO allies have delivered 75% of all missiles received by Ukraine’s defence forces under the programme. He added that 90% of the missiles used specifically for air defence have been supplied through the PURL mechanism, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media. 

Rutte stressed that NATO remains in daily dialogue with Ukraine regarding its military needs as Kyiv continues to resist Russia’s full-scale invasion. He said the Alliance is committed to ensuring Ukraine has the capabilities required to defend itself.

The NATO chief also highlighted the benefits NATO countries gain from cooperation with Ukraine, pointing to Ukraine’s battlefield experience and technological innovation. According to Rutte, several NATO members are now jointly developing and producing certain types of military equipment with Ukraine and supplying it to Ukrainian forces.

He said that everyone benefits from this cooperation, noting that NATO is learning from Ukraine’s unique and innovative approaches to warfare.

Rutte emphasised that strengthening Ukraine’s armed forces remains one of his top priorities. He added that NATO seeks not only an end to the war but also a peace that is durable and secure.

Rutte arrived in Kyiv on February 3, shortly after Russia carried out a large-scale combined missile and drone strike on Ukraine overnight. The visit comes amid uncertainty following comments by US President Donald Trump on January  29, in which he said Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed not to strike Kyiv and other towns for one week, without clarifying when that period would begin.

By Sabina Mammadli