The United States, along with its European partners, is determined to put an end to the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine. This was stated by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the start of another meeting in the “Ramstein” format on October 15.
This is reported by Kyiv24
The Key Role of the PURL Initiative in Supporting Ukraine
Pete Hegseth emphasized that the main tool for establishing peace in Ukraine is the funding initiative “NATO’s Priority Requirements List for Ukraine” (PURL). He noted that all countries must turn intentions into real actions and commitments into concrete capabilities, providing Ukraine with the necessary weapons and support.
“The key mechanism for establishing peace in Ukraine, as already mentioned, is the funding initiative ‘NATO’s Priority Requirements List for Ukraine’ (PURL). All countries need to turn goals into weapons, commitments into capabilities, and promises into strength,” urged the Pentagon chief.
According to Hegseth, if peace is not achieved in the near future, the US, along with its allies, will take decisive actions to make Russia pay for continuing its aggression against Ukraine.
The PURL Initiative: Funding and Challenges
On July 14, the US and NATO signed the PURL agreement, which provides for the supply of American weapons to Ukraine funded by European states, with NATO coordinating the process. As NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reported, in the first months after the initiative’s launch, over two billion euros were raised—these funds are directed towards the procurement of weapons and ammunition, including air defense systems that are not produced by European manufacturers.
Thirteen NATO countries joined the PURL initiative in the first two months of its operation. However, despite the billions raised, the pace of funding is slowing, and several major economies—such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland—remain outside this initiative.
President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly calls on these countries to join the collective efforts, while discussions continue within NATO regarding the fair distribution of the financial and military burden of supporting Ukraine.
At the NATO defense ministers’ meeting on October 15, further steps to enhance assistance to Ukraine were discussed, as well as the involvement of states that are currently less engaged in this support.
Hegseth emphasized that the most effective way to deter Russian aggression is a powerful and capable NATO led by Europe and a strong Ukrainian army. According to him, under the unwavering leadership of President Donald Trump and in close cooperation with European allies, the US will do everything possible to end the war in Ukraine.