Translated with AI
Italy has expressed its willingness to participate in a special program for the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine, known as the Prioritized Ukraine Request List (PURL), which is crucial to the country's defense against a Russian military invasion. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced this at a meeting of NATO defense ministers last week, Bloomberg reported, citing informed sources. The Italian Defense Ministry has not provided any official comment.
According to the agency, Italy's participation in the program represents a significant shift from the government's previous position, which had previously opposed participation in PURL, arguing that Kyiv had other avenues for obtaining weapons. The reconsideration, according to sources, stems from concerns about being left behind if other allies take the initiative.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced last week that more than half of the alliance's 32 member countries have agreed to contribute funds to purchase American weapons for Ukraine. He did not provide details, but it is known that the Baltic and Nordic countries are already working on a new aid package for Kyiv.
The PURL program allows Ukraine to procure various types of weapons, including Patriot missile defense systems, with funding primarily from European partners. As of September of this year, Ukraine has received approximately $2 billion in funding from six countries, significantly below the planned amount, especially given the intensification of Russian attacks on the country's energy and civilian infrastructure.
According to sources, Italy participated in the preparation of at least ten military aid packages for Ukraine, including the supply of SAMP/T air defense systems. However, the exact contents of the aid remain classified.
It is noted that, with the war in Ukraine now in its fourth year, the search for new sources of funding is becoming increasingly urgent. In the summer, military aid deliveries to Kyiv significantly decreased after the US announced it would halt arms funding for Ukraine, forcing European countries to seek alternative sources.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni continues to support Ukraine despite the limited capacity of the state budget.
