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.

MP Röwekamp emphasized that Ukraine should receive modern air defense systems and equipment to strike targets on Russian territory, and that coordination within NATO should allow responding to threats in the airspace of allied countries.

Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, providing Ukraine with such capabilities becomes particularly relevant after the incident in which some Russian UAVs entered Polish airspace. To protect key logistical hubs, such as Rzeszów Airport, the Bundeswehr deployed Patriot air defense systems and 200 soldiers, while Dutch F-35s shot down at least three drones.

The head of the Bundestag Defense Committee, Thomas Röwekamp, told the German magazine Spiegel that NATO needs to act more decisively against Russian drones. He stressed the need to shoot down drones over Ukraine and to strike production sites and launch platforms in Russia.

According to him, mass UAV attacks create very serious challenges for air defense, and military capabilities in this area should be expanded. Germany should increase its contribution and help Ukraine acquire modern air defense systems and other tools to counter drones.

Röwekamp highlighted the importance of NATO coordination to determine when and over whose territory threats can be countered:

“There must be a possibility, with the consent of the affected country, to neutralize drones that threaten NATO territory, even in their airspace.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for a coordinated approach to protect Ukrainian airspace, proposing to work with partners to find solutions that minimize escalation. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has refrained from commenting on the possibility of shooting down drones over Ukraine, emphasizing the need for caution and coordination with allies.

Meanwhile, Germany and other partners are actively supplying Ukraine with modern air defense systems and assisting in the development of long-range UAVs. This allows not only repelling attacks but also planning actions against the sources of threats on Russian territory.

Nearly half of Americans think the United States is not doing enough to support Ukraine, according to a new Gallup poll.

The consulting firm found that 46% of respondents believe US assistance falls short, while 25% said America is doing too much and 27% consider current support adequate.

The survey revealed that Democratic voters believe the US should increase its support for Ukraine, while Republican voters are split between considering current aid sufficient or excessive.

Since Donald Trump’s administration took office, the polling data shows significant shifts in public opinion across party lines. Among Democrats, the percentage who view aid as insufficient jumped from 48% in December to 77%. Independent voters also showed increased concern, with those calling aid inadequate rising from 32% to 44%.

Republican attitudes moved in the opposite direction. The share of Republicans who consider aid excessive dropped from 67% to 40%, while those rating current support as sufficient increased from 20% to 42%.

Some 52% believe Washington should support Ukraine in returning occupied territories, even if this prolongs the war, the poll found. Meanwhile, 45% favor a quick end to the war, even if Ukraine would have to give up some territory.

The Gallup survey was conducted from 1-15 August, before the US-Russia leadership summit in Alaska. The polling firm did not specify the number of respondents or methodology used.

Recent diplomatic developments have intensified focus on Ukraine policy. On 25 August, reports emerged of an upcoming meeting between American and Ukrainian teams to prepare for possible negotiations between President Zelenskyy and the Russian leader.

The Financial Times reported on 26 August that the US is prepared to provide Ukraine with intelligence resources and aviation battlefield control as part of security guarantees after fighting ends.

Bloomberg reported on 27 August that Ukrainian officials Yermak and Umerov are heading to the United States to discuss security guarantees with Witkoff.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $1 billion military assistance package for Ukraine during Independence Day proceedings in Kyiv, with equipment deliveries scheduled to begin in September 2025.

The aid package forms part of Canada’s broader $2 billion military commitment made at the G7 summit in June. Carney specified that the funds will purchase drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles for Ukrainian forces.

“Today I proudly announce that over $1 billion of this amount will be directed to strengthening your weapons arsenal through the supply of drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles, which will arrive as early as next month,” Carney stated during his address.

Beyond military hardware, Canada committed tens of millions of dollars for emergency medical assistance, bomb shelter construction, and democracy strengthening initiatives. The democracy support includes cybersecurity assistance to counter digital attacks on Ukrainian institutions.

Carney outlined Canada’s role in international efforts to address humanitarian concerns, particularly regarding illegally displaced children from occupied territories. As co-chair of the international coalition for returning deported Ukrainian children, Canada plans to coordinate with Ukraine, European partners, and the United States on repatriation efforts.

“On this Ukrainian Independence Day and at this critical moment in the country’s history, Canada is strengthening its support and efforts aimed at achieving just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” the Prime Minister stated.

Carney’s visit to Kyiv represents part of a broader European tour. His itinerary includes meetings with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on 25 August, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on 26 August, and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa on 27 August.

Since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, Canada has provided nearly $22 billion in aid to Ukraine, including over $12.4 billion in financial assistance to support the Ukrainian government and economy. Canada also committed about $3 billion specifically for military support, supplying infantry fighting vehicles, drones, ammunition, and training for Ukrainian forces.

Norway will allocate approximately 7 billion Norwegian kroner ($695 million) for air defense systems for Ukraine, according to the Norwegian government.

The funding will support two Patriot air defense systems that Norway and Germany are jointly purchasing and delivering to Ukraine from Germany.

Beyond the Patriot systems, the cooperation encompasses additional air defense components. Germany is financing contracts with manufacturer Hensoldt for modern TRML-4D air defense radars, which will improve sensor coverage and enhance the effectiveness of other air defense systems.

Germany has also funded procurement of Typhon-2 short-range air defense systems, which are American-manufactured systems, representing an upgraded version of the Typhon-1 system that Norway previously donated to Ukraine.

The Typhon-2 system fills the operational void between close-range and mid-distance air defense capabilities, establishing more complete protection against aerial attacks. Norway is also providing critical Typhon-2 components sourced from its own military inventory.

Earlier, Germany announced it would finance a package of military equipment and ammunition from the USA for Ukraine worth $500 million.

US provides, Europe pays for Ukraine weapons

The United States plays a supporting role by guaranteeing replacement of the donated Patriot systems, while Norway has committed to contribute financially to their replacement procurement.

This arrangement fits within a broader US-NATO mechanism called the “Priority Ukraine Requirements List” (PURL), announced by President Donald Trump in July.

According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump indicated that Ukraine should receive “everything necessary for self-defense” but wanted European allies to finance the weapons.

Trump confirmed that the US would provide Ukraine with weapons worth “billions of dollars” through this European-funded approach, including up to 17 Patriot air defense systems.