Washington Prepares Request for Allies
According to Bloomberg sources familiar with closed-door discussions, the United States intends in the near future — potentially as early as November 2026 — to submit a request to NATO allies for additional funding to procure American weaponry for Ukraine. Certain partner states have reportedly already been given to understand that they will be approached for co-financing of supplies. The exact sum Washington aims to secure has not yet been disclosed, but Bloomberg interlocutors estimate that approximately $2 billion is missing for already agreed weapon packages.
PURL Program Mechanics and Growing Deficit
The issue concerns the PURL program, under which European partners pay for American weapons that are subsequently transferred to the Ukrainian army. A key problem highlighted by Bloomberg is that the US continues to supply weapons to Ukraine even when allies have not yet transferred funds for payment. Consequently, the funding deficit could grow, especially if the Pentagon decides to increase delivery volumes. In effect, Washington is asking allies to “catch up” with money for supplies that have already been manufactured or agreed upon.
Patriot Missiles: Kyiv's Stance
The issue of supplying American missiles for Patriot air defense systems has recently become one of the most acute in US-Ukraine relations. In October, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine receives only about 12 such missiles per month, and Washington has still not approved a portion of already paid-for shipments. Later, he reported that the US approved a potential sale to Ukraine of 500 PAC-3 interceptor missiles worth $2.1 billion. However, these missiles, according to him, may arrive only in a few years, which is why Ukraine asked partners to transfer munitions from their own stocks this winter; the president estimated the minimum requirement for this period at 100 missiles per month.
Europe and NATO Response
Meanwhile, European allies are seeking ways to strengthen Ukrainian air defense: Germany and the UK are working on finding additional Patriot missiles in partners' stockpiles. NATO assured that arms deliveries paid for by European countries under the PURL program are continuing without delays. At the same time, Bloomberg emphasizes that Washington's intentions to attract additional funds indicate that the American side continues to participate in arming Ukraine, despite tensions between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
