US Approves NATO-Funded Ukraine Aid

In a major shift in policy, the Trump administration has approved its first weapons deliveries to Ukraine that are funded by NATO allies. According to agency sources, Deputy Defense Secretary for Policy Elbridge Colby has cleared two shipments worth $500 million each, totaling $1 billion, under a new mechanism called the Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). The move marks a return to a robust U.S. role in providing military aid to Kyiv, but with a new and innovative financial framework.
The PURL initiative is a new approach in which Ukraine compiles a priority list of its most needed weapons and military equipment. In turn, NATO allies contribute funds, purchase arms directly from the U.S., or transfer them from their own stockpiles. This mechanism allows the United States to resume sending arms to Kyiv while placing the financial burden on European and other allied nations. The approach is a reflection of President Trump’s “America First” policy, which has consistently pushed for allies to take on a greater share of the financial responsibility for their own defense.
The decision comes after a period of uncertainty for Ukraine. Since taking office, the Trump administration has not initiated any new military aid packages, instead relying on sales or deliveries that were previously authorized by former President Joe Biden. This new approval, however, signals a renewed commitment to assisting Ukraine, a change in policy that has reportedly been driven by President Trump’s frustration over his inability to curb Russia’s ongoing military campaign and its recent aggression toward Poland.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the approved packages include critical items that Ukraine has been urgently requesting, such as air defense systems, which are a top priority given the increase in Russian drone and missile strikes. The PURL initiative has already received significant financial commitments from several NATO countries. Germany and Canada have each pledged $500 million to fund the program, with the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden also making similar commitments. Together, these contributions have already totaled over $2 billion in committed funds for the purchase of American-made weapons.
The new mechanism is a strategic compromise that allows the Trump administration to show support for Ukraine while adhering to its core foreign policy principles. It provides a means to deliver urgently needed military aid to Kyiv and strengthen the country’s defensive capabilities, all while demonstrating the power of a unified alliance. The approval of these first two shipments is a major step forward, and officials expect more to follow on a regular basis.