Ukraine receives $1.5 billion in arms from NATO under PURL framework

NATO allies have transferred $1.5 billion worth of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine under a coordinated program designed to meet Kyiv’s urgent battlefield needs, according to Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.

Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Cavo Dragone explained that the deliveries were made under the PURL, a framework developed about 40 days ago in collaboration with President Donald Trump and his advisers. 

“PURL stands for ‘Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List’, a list compiled by Ukrainians based on their actual military needs on the ground,” he said.

The program is funded not only by NATO members but also by 52 pro-Ukrainian partners worldwide, emphasising the coalition’s broad support.

“To date, weapons worth $1.5 billion have been sent under the PURL formula,” Cavo Dragone added.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on August 22, confirmed the commitment: “Over the past month, the U.S. has already supplied Ukraine with $1.5 billion worth of lethal weapons using NATO countries' money, and there will be more.”

Rutte also outlined NATO’s intentions for the post-conflict period, including assistance to Ukraine in expanding the size of its Armed Forces and supporting the deployment of new weapons and ammunition production facilities within territories controlled by Kyiv.

The announcement follows a high-level summit in Washington between Zelenskyy, U.S. President Donald Trump, and European partners, aimed at securing long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.

Cavo Dragone described the framework as having two layers: strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities and ensuring deterrence through commitments from the U.S. and European allies in the event of future Russian aggression.

French President Emmanuel Macron clarified on August 18 that these guarantees would not include NATO membership but would rely on a strong Ukrainian army backed by the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group of over 30 supportive countries.

European officials indicated that meetings among Coalition members would be held soon to finalise the details.

U.S. President Trump told Fox News on August 19 that Washington could provide air support under the security guarantees, but ruled out deploying ground troops.

Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that security guarantees for Ukraine cannot be discussed without Moscow’s involvement.

In response, Zelenskyy emphasised the necessity of such guarantees for Ukraine’s survival: “Ukraine needs security guarantees so that we, our children, and grandchildren can be certain that Russia will not attack us. These are guarantees of security against an aggressor.” He added pointedly, “When Russia raises the issue of security guarantees, to be honest, I don’t know who exactly is threatening them. They’re the ones who attacked us.”

By Tamilla Hasanova