A breakthrough in the negotiations on Ukraine is not in sight. In order to increase pressure on Russia, Kiev's partners will continue to buy American weapons for Ukraine. About 15 billion dollars will be needed in 2026.
At the meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, NATO countries agreed to continue supporting Ukraine with weapons. Every month, the US will buy weapons and ammunition worth at least one billion dollars for Ukraine, such as missiles for the defending country's air defense, but also offensive weapons, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced. He believes that a total of about 15 billion US dollars will be needed for this purpose in the coming year 2026.
Germany will provide 200 million dollars
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful announced that Germany will provide a total of 200 million dollars for two new packages of American military equipment for Ukraine, which, however, will not be included in the amount for 2026. These weapons will be purchased jointly with Poland, Norway and the Netherlands and will be added to an already funded package of 500 million dollars.
Wadeful also announced that Germany will contribute an additional 25 million euros to a NATO fund to provide Ukrainian soldiers with winter equipment and medical care. Amid the lack of progress in talks between the US and Russia for a peaceful solution in Ukraine, Vadful criticized Moscow for its lack of serious will to hold such negotiations, ARD wrote.
The US does not want to pay more
The US military equipment is being delivered through the so-called Purl initiative (“Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List“). It was launched this summer to meet the requirements of US President Donald Trump. He believes that the US has had too much of a share in supporting Ukraine in the past and now wants other alliance countries to pay for the new military aid. The initiative envisages the sale of US-made ammunition and weapons to European allies and Canada, who in turn would provide them to Ukraine.
The meeting in Brussels was marred by the fact that instead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the US sent his deputy Christopher Landau to the meeting.
Russian assets remain a hot topic
It is still unclear how Russian assets frozen in Europe will be used. On Wednesday, the European Commission (EC) wanted to present a proposal that, according to its president Ursula von der Leyen, takes into account “almost all” Belgian concerns.
The funds deposited with a Belgian financial services provider are to be used to mobilize 140 billion euros for Kiev. The Belgian government fears that it will bear the brunt of any compensation claims from Russia.