The United States is preparing to ask its NATO allies to increase funding for the procurement of American weapons for Ukraine. Under the PURL programme, there is a shortfall of approximately $2 billion for arms packages that have already been agreed. Despite the funding shortfall, Washington is continuing to supply military equipment without waiting for full payment from its partners. This is reported by Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with closed-door consultations.
- The US plans to ask its NATO allies to increase funding for US weapons for Ukraine.
- There is a shortfall of approximately $2 billion for the arms packages already agreed under the PURL programme.
- Washington continues to supply weapons without waiting for full payment from its partners.
- An official request for additional contributions may be received as early as November.
The US is preparing a new request to its NATO allies
According to the agency, the US administration may formally approach NATO member states with a request for additional financial contributions as early as November.
Some allies have received preliminary indications from Washington regarding the need to increase funding for the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List programme (PURL), through which Ukraine receives American weapons paid for by partner states.
The exact amount of the forthcoming US request has not yet been determined. At the same time, sources speaking to Bloomberg have reported that there is a shortfall of around $2 billion in the military aid packages that have already been approved.
The reason for the financial shortfall is that the United States continued to supply Ukraine with weapons even before receiving the relevant payments from its allies. If the Pentagon approves further supplies, the amount of uncovered expenditure could increase.
How does the PURL programme work, and what weapons will Ukraine receive?
The PURL programme was launched in July 2025 following agreements between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of the United States Donald Trump and the Secretary-General of NATO Mark Rutte.
Its main aim is to ensure the prompt supply of American weaponry required by the Ukrainian Defence Forces, but which European manufacturers are not always able to provide in the necessary quantities.
Under this mechanism, Ukraine identifies its priority military requirements. On this basis, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Joint Armed Forces NATO in Europe, it draws up and agrees on packages of equipment and ammunition that the United States may provide.
NATO countries and other partners voluntarily fund the relevant procurements. The US weapons are then transferred to Ukraine, with the Alliance’s bodies coordinating the deliveries.
Among the most important categories of aid are interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defence systems, other ammunition and military equipment.
According to NATO, since the PURL began operating, more than two-thirds of the Alliance’s member states have agreed to contribute to the funding of procurement. Australia and New Zealand have also joined the initiative.
According to the Alliance, the value of US military equipment funded through the programme exceeded $6 billion.
Supplies of American weapons are continuing despite the financial shortfall
Washington’s new request is being prepared against a backdrop of political differences between Donald Trump’s administration and the Ukrainian leadership.
The US President’s contradictory statements regarding Ukraine have at times complicated negotiations with European partners on additional contributions.
At the same time, practical cooperation in the field of defence supplies has not ceased. American companies continue to supply Ukraine with weapons, and the Pentagon has not halted the delivery of packages that have already been agreed upon due to funding delays.
In September, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasised that supplies via the PURL are continuing uninterrupted and remain vital for the defence of Ukrainian cities and for holding ground on the front line.
In October, the US side considered the possibility of suspending supplies due to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. According to sources, this threat was not carried out, and the programme continued to operate.
Will the shortfall of $2 billion affect military aid to Ukraine?
The existence of a funding shortfall does not mean that Ukraine has already lost access to agreed deliveries. American weapons continue to arrive, although funding from partners is lagging behind the actual volumes being transferred.
At the same time, the programme’s further expansion will depend on the willingness of NATO member states to allocate additional funds.
In early October, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone He reported that, through the PURL, Ukraine had already received US military equipment worth $10 billion. He described this mechanism as one of the quickest ways of providing the Ukrainian armed forces with the necessary equipment.
The total amount of future contributions and the specific countries to which the US will turn for additional funding have not yet been announced. Washington may submit a request to its partners as early as November.
