Ukraine’s ambassador to NATO, Alona Hetmanchuk, said the circle of countries financing US weapons for Kyiv under the PURL program is likely to expand. Speaking in Brussels ahead of a NATO ministerial meeting, she noted that diplomatic efforts had convinced previously sceptical states to reconsider participation. The initiative currently includes 25 countries: 23 NATO members and two partners, New Zealand and Australia.
Hetmanchuk explained that some nations had initially declined, including France and Italy, citing policy incompatibilities. While there is no official confirmation of their change in position, sources suggested France may be reconsidering its stance. Ukraine aims to add one or two new contributors at each NATO-Ukraine Council ministerial or Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, the next of which is on 12 February.
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Funding could expand beyond NATO, Hetmanchuk said, emphasizing the importance of burden-sharing among partner countries with sufficient resources. She stressed that PURL is focused on meeting Ukraine’s defense needs, not serving the US administration, highlighting President Zelenskyy’s personal advocacy for the initiative.
The ambassador also named six countries contributing the most to Ukraine’s US weapons purchases, underscoring broad international support despite disputes like Greenland’s militarization issue. NATO has fully revised its assistance to Kyiv, with 80% of weapons now channeled through Alliance mechanisms.
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Analysts note that expanding the PURL program strengthens Ukraine’s defense capacity while showcasing NATO’s evolving role in coordinating international military aid. The initiative also signals growing unity among NATO members and partner nations supporting Ukraine amid ongoing regional tensions.