The Netherlands has become the first NATO ally to use a new alliance-wide mechanism under the Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) by formally pledging €500 million to purchase U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine. Announced on Aug. 4, Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said the funds will be used for urgent priority needs, including Patriot air defence system parts and missiles, with deliveries expected in the coming weeks from Washington-aligned stockpiles. The country, one of Ukraine’s largest Western backers has already provided nearly €6 billion in military aid since the Russian invasion began in 2022.
PURL was agreed in a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on July 14, following Trump’s pledge that European nations would finance weapon transfers instead of relying solely on U.S. presidential drawdowns. Under the new scheme, Ukraine submits lists of required arms in €500 million tranches, and NATO members fund individual packages. “As the first NATO ally, the Netherlands will deliver a €500 million package of US weapon systems … including Patriot parts and missiles,” Brekelmans wrote on X. Rutte welcomed the Dutch move, saying it is “about getting Ukraine the equipment it urgently needs now to defend itself against Russian aggression” and “I expect further significant announcements from other Allies soon.” NATO’s ambassador in Brussels, Matthew Whitaker, added: “We’re moving as fast as possible … you’re going to see a series of announcements in the coming weeks.”
The new channel aims to fast-track U.S. weapons into Ukraine without going through lengthy arms‑sale procedures and to preserve U.S. stock for NATO partners’ own defence. A European official told Reuters the goal is to deliver $10 billion in arms via PURL, a voluntary mechanism anchored in NATO and coordinated through U.S. and Alliance command structures. In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised the Netherlands’ pledge saying Europe “will now have greater protection against Russian terror” and expressed gratitude for what he called a milestone in strengthening Ukraine’s air shield.
