On Tuesday, September 9th, the Latvian cabinet supported a draft order to allocate 5 million euros to a NATO and United States initiative to supply weapons Ukraine, the “PURL” (Prioritized Ukraine Requirement List).
“It is necessary to continue to support Ukraine in all possible ways and means, as this is the only way to strengthen its ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as to achieve victory in the fight against the aggressor state Russia. The PURL initiative is a way to provide US weapons to Ukraine, which have already increased its combat capabilities at critical moments, to hold the front, conduct counterattacks and demonstrate US support for Ukraine,” said Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže agreed, saying:
“Latvia’s financing of the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine’s armoury is a clear signal of NATO and allies’ determination to ensure Ukraine’s priority military needs and strengthen collective security in Europe. Latvia’s contribution is a political and practical demonstration of solidarity, which once again confirms that Latvia, together with its allies, is ready to defend the international order against Russian aggression.”
According to the government’s decision, Latvia’s donation in 2025 will amount to 5 million euros, of which 3 million are allocated from the budget of the Ministry of Defence, and 2 million from the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
PURL is a new initiative to facilitate the acquisition and transfer of U.S. defense goods and services to Ukraine, using donations from allies and partners. Under the initiative, European countries and Canada provide the cash for the purchase of U.S.-made military products. Under the scheme, Ukraine submits a list of the items it needs as a priority. This list is then considered by NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe before orders are placed with US arms manufacturers.
According to NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska, speaking in Bulgaria on September 8th, in August alone, several European Allies and Canada committed over two billion dollars of support through NATO’s PURL model.
“This new initiative will get key critical US equipment already in the stockpiles flowing to Ukraine quickly. Because time is also of essence. And this why I also use this opportunity to urge all Allies to participate and to support. And I thank very much the countries that have already shown how important the support to Ukraine is for all of us,” she said.
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