The EU is gearing up to extend a bridge loan, aimed at bridging the funding shortfall until a mechanism is finalized for tapping into Russia’s froze assets. In 2026, NATO countries will allocate $60 billion to support Ukraine in addition to the so-called NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package provides for several areas of non-lethal support for Kyiv. This was announced by Patrick Turner, head of the NATO Mission in Ukraine, in an interview with EUalive’s partner Suspilne.
Turner noted that within the framework of the PURL initiative, four aid packages have already been announced.
“Support for these packages is either already being delivered or is in the process of reaching Ukraine. We are actively working on organising and financing the next packages, so there is already tangible progress. This is a long-term and large-scale initiative, so the total amount of support will be significant,” the diplomat said.
Turner stressed that this initiative is a key element of the collective military assistance provided to Ukraine by the Allies.
In 2024, NATO member states delivered more than $50 billion in military aid to Ukraine. The final figures for this year have yet to be determined. The Ukrainian government has informed its partners, particularly in NATO, that in 2026 the country’s total defence budget will reach $120 billion, half financed domestically and half by international partners.
“Thus, the PURL initiative is a very important part of this overall support, although general assistance is not limited to it,” he added.
When asked about NATO’s priorities in Ukraine for the coming months and next year, Turner said the first priority is to help Ukraine defend itself in every possible way.
“And the most reliable way to do that is through military support. So, the allocation of $50 billion last year and $60 billion next year is very substantial and practical support under the PURL initiative. This is vital assistance,” Turner said.
He also highlighted defence cooperation between Ukraine and NATO member states.
“NATO wants to work with Ukrainian industry and innovation. We need to learn from you — how you move from a concept of capability to deploying weapons on the battlefield in just a matter of weeks. We need to learn to do this ourselves; it is very important,” he noted.
Turner added that another priority is non-lethal support.
“There is a so-called NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine (CAP), which covers several areas of non-lethal support. It includes both battlefield-related assistance and long-term programmes such as hospital support and aid for veterans. This is one of NATO’s priority areas of assistance,” he explained.
In addition, a joint centre in Poland works to study and apply combat experience and support efforts to counter battlefield threats.
“It is very important to work with Ukraine to achieve several goals — to further enhance our interoperability and to support key reforms. Potential NATO members are always implementing reforms that the Alliance expects, and Ukraine is making significant progress in this regard,” Turner said.
About the PURL programme
On 14 July, the United States and NATO signed the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) agreement, which allows the purchase of US weapons for Ukraine funded by European countries. The U.S. no longer pays for Ukraine, as President Donald Trump announced. According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the agreement enables Kyiv to receive a significant number of air defence systems, missiles, and ammunition.
After meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on 24 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that two months after the creation of the PURL programme, its value had already reached $2.1 billion. Rutte emphasised the need to increase contributions and participation from more countries.