The North Atlantic Alliance will allocate $60 billion in aid to Ukraine in 2026, according to Patrick Turner, head of NATO's representation in Ukraine, in an interview with Suspilne.
"Last year, the allocation was $50 billion, next year it will be $60 billion — this is very large and practical support," Turner told Suspilne.
The funding represents half of Ukraine's projected $120 billion defense budget for 2026. Turner explained that the Ukrainian government has informed its partners, including NATO, that it will finance half of this amount domestically, while international partners will cover the remainder.
Four aid packages have already been announced under the PURL initiative (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List), according to Turner. "Aid under these packages has either already been provided or is still in the process of arriving in Ukraine," he said. The diplomat said that work continues on organizing and financing subsequent packages.
Turner identified Ukraine's defense as NATO's primary near-term priority. "The most reliable way to do this is military support," he said, describing the PURL initiative as "vitally necessary support" and a key element in overall military assistance from Alliance members.
Beyond lethal aid, NATO operates the Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP), which provides non-lethal support across multiple areas. "It covers both assistance related to battlefield conditions and long-term programs, such as support for hospitals or assistance to veterans," Turner said.
The official highlighted NATO's interest in Ukrainian defense innovation. "NATO wants to work with Ukrainian industry and innovation. We need to learn how you transition from creating a capability concept to delivering weapons for battlefield use in a matter of weeks," Turner said.
A joint center in Poland studies and implements combat experience and assists in countering battlefield threats, according to Turner. He also emphasized Ukraine's progress on reforms that NATO members expect from potential members.
Inside the PURL initiative
The United States and NATO signed the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List agreement on 14 July, enabling European countries to purchase American weapons for Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that under the agreement, Kyiv could receive large quantities of air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition.
Denmark allocated approximately 580 million Danish kroner ($84 million) through PURL, Sweden contributed $275 million, and Norway provided approximately $135 million. The Netherlands financed the first aid package under PURL worth 500 million euros ($541 million), and Germany has also joined the program.
The first military equipment under the US-NATO PURL agreement arrived in Ukraine in September. Following a meeting with Rutte on 24 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that PURL funding reached $2.1 billion within two months of the program's creation.
