Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has criticized European allies for their inadequate pace in funding a program to procure U.S.-made weapons, labeling recent progress as “insufficient” in his latest remarks.
Speaking on Tuesday after a defense briefing, Zelensky highlighted major issues with the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), an initiative designed by NATO to channel European financial contributions toward purchasing arms from the United States for Kyiv’s military operations.
The PURL program was launched in August as European governments sought alternative avenues to sustain support for Ukraine following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to halt direct arms deliveries and advocate for European-led conflict resolution efforts.
“ heated tensions, Zelensky stated during his comments. “The PURL initiative needs funding, and progress in January has been insufficient.”
Despite Zelensky’s emphasis on urgency, financial commitments under PURL have lagged behind targets. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had projected $5 billion in investments by year-end, but publicly disclosed figures as of late December showed only $4.3 billion committed since August, including nearly $1.5 billion added in December.
Political divisions within the European Union further complicate the situation. Germany and the Netherlands insist that Kyiv must use a €90 billion ($105 billion) EU-backed loan facility exclusively for purchasing U.S.-made arms, while French President Emmanuel Macron argues such funds should prioritize European defense industry partnerships.
Additionally, participation in PURL remains limited; several NATO countries including Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia have opted out of the initiative despite broader European involvement.
Russian officials have condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, asserting they only prolong the conflict without altering its outcome.
