The Trump administration has approved weapons aid packages for Ukraine worth up to $1 billion, with NATO allies paying for American arms shipments to Kyiv rather than the United States funding the assistance directly.

Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby approved up to two $500 million shipments under a mechanism called the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters.

The renewed transatlantic cooperation aims to provide Ukraine with up to $10 billion worth of weapons.

The sources declined to provide a complete inventory of approved items but confirmed the packages include air defense systems. Ukraine requires these systems urgently given a huge increase in Russian drone and missile attacks.

“It’s the stuff they’ve been asking for. A lot of stuff,” one source told the news agency, adding that the flow has allowed Ukraine to “stabilize the lines thus far.”

What is PURL?

Trump announced the initiative on 14 July, confirming the United States would provide Ukraine with weapons worth “billions of dollars” that European NATO allies would purchase and distribute. The president specifically mentioned preparing up to 17 Patriot air defense systems for shipment to Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described Trump’s decision as “quite logical” and said Trump called him on 10 July to explain that Ukraine should receive “everything necessary for self-defense,” but that Europeans should finance the assistance.

By 31 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that seven countries had supported the PURL initiative, with total commitments reaching $2 billion. Defense experts indicate Ukraine’s requirements remain consistent with previous months, focusing on air defenses, interceptors, missile systems, rockets, and artillery.

Ukraine moves closer to a $50 million drone deal with the US. On 25 August, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal met with US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg in Kyiv to discuss the frontline situation, weapons production, and joint defense projects.

Drone deal: 10 million drones per year

Ukraine proposed joint drone production with the US worth $50 billion over five years. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the deal envisions producing 10 million drones annually, making it one of the largest defense initiatives worldwide.

The deal includes not only bulk procurement of Ukrainian drones but also the development of joint technologies to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The political decision was made by Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in Washington, Glavcom reports.

Recently, Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk has confirmed plans to finalize the landmark deal: Ukraine will sell its domestically developed drones and, in return, receive advanced US weapons. Kyiv offers partners unique technologies, security products, and defense expertise.

US support and NATO cooperation

Defense Minister Shmyhal thanked General Kellogg and the American for leadership and support, emphasizing that “it helps save lives and brings a just peace closer.”

He also praised the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List initiative, which allows NATO countries to rapidly supply critical US weapons and technology.

Boosting production and security guarantees

Shmyhal also briefed Kellogg on Ukraine’s defense priorities: ramping up ammunition and drone production to halt the aggressor’s offensive. Joint projects in this area help more efficiently equip Ukrainian soldiers.

They also discussed creating reliable security guarantees to prevent future aggression against Ukraine, developed in close cooperation with international partners.