Rutte welcomes Dutch funding of US arms package for Ukraine, first under PURL initiative

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has welcomed the first package of US military equipment for Ukraine agreed under NATO's new Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. It will be fully financed by the Netherlands,

NATO's press service reported.

"I am grateful to the Netherlands for taking the lead and translating this initiative into concrete support on the ground, building on the steps taken by Germany last week to deliver more Patriot systems to Ukraine," the Secretary General said.

The announcement follows an agreement reached by Rutte and US President Donald Trump at the White House on July 14. The initiative is funded by European Allies and Canada and will consist of regular packages, each worth around USD 500 million, containing equipment and munitions identified by Ukraine as operational priorities. This includes assets that the United States can provide in larger quantities than Europe and Canada alone. The packages will be prepared quickly and provided on a regular basis.

"This is about providing Ukraine with the equipment it urgently needs to defend itself against russian aggression. The aim of all Alliance assistance to Ukraine is to bring the war to a just and lasting conclusion in support of President Trump's peace efforts. I have written to all NATO members urging them to join this burden-sharing initiative, and I look forward to further important statements from other Allies in the near future," Rutte added.

NATO will coordinate the delivery of these packages, including through the NATO Security Assistance and Training Command for Ukraine (NSATU) in Wiesbaden. In close cooperation with Ukraine and the United States, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Alexus Hrynkevich, will review packages that meet Ukraine's needs, including air defense systems, ammunition and other critical equipment for rapid delivery from U.S. stocks.

As a reminder, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced on August 4 that the country would provide the first package of U.S. weapons worth EUR 500 million, which includes Patriot components and missiles:

"Ukraine urgently needs additional air defense systems and ammunition. The Netherlands has become the first NATO country to provide a package of U.S. weapons worth EUR 500 million (including Patriot components and missiles). This will allow Ukraine to stop russian aggression, which is also important for the rest of Europe."

Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on the evening of August 4 that the United States and NATO are launching a new mechanism to support Ukraine through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.

He also announced new important announcements in the near future.