EditNATO countries to allocate $60 бillion to support Ukraine in 2026
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.
On 18 September, a NATO representative told Suspilne that the first military equipment under the PURL agreement had arrived in Ukraine, with further deliveries expected soon.
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.
Frozen Russian assets
Meanwhile, the European Union is preparing to provide Ukraine with what some are calling a “bridge loan”. These funds would be repaid from future Russian reparations from the 260 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets – mostly parked in Belgium’s Euroclear depository .
Despite expectations, EU leaders failed to reach agreement on the issue at their October meeting due to Belgium’s refusal to support the proposal. However, most EU leaders expect the loan to be approved before the next European Council summit on 18 December.
Belgium’s Iron Wall: how one PM held up €140 billion for Ukraine
According to Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the total frozen assets amount to around €300 billion.
The bulk of these funds – about €210 billion – are held in Belgium’s Euroclear, the central securities depository. Around £26 billion are in the United Kingdom, €22 billion in France, €210 million in Germany, €38 billion in Japan, and approximately $4–5 billion in the US.
Last year, EU member states agreed to provide loans to Ukraine financed by profits from these frozen assets. These efforts were later joined by the G7 partners. By the end of October, €25.3 billion of the €45 billion promised had been delivered under this scheme.
Caption: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) shake hands during a joint press conference following their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, 22 August 2025. The NATO Secretary General arrived in Kyiv to meet with top Ukrainian officials, amid the ongoing Russian invasion. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO
Updated: November 5, 2025 - 07:32
