Romania to open NATO's second-largest logistics hub to boost arms flow to Ukraine
Photo: NATO logistics hub set to open in late January 2026 (Getty Images)
Romania will open NATO's second-largest logistics center in January 2026, which will coordinate and supply arms to Ukraine alongside the existing hub in Rzeszów, Poland, reports Defense Romania, citing Mike Keller, Deputy Commander of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine.
The logistics hub will operate in tandem with the existing center in Rzeszów, Poland.
The new center will allow NATO to double the maximum volume of military aid transit to Ukraine. This includes deliveries under the PURL mechanism, in which the United States sells weapons to Ukraine while European countries cover the costs.
Defense Romania notes that until now, the Rzeszów base has served as the main transport artery for delivering weapons to Ukraine, enabling the country to conduct combat operations. However, relying on a single large hub posed strategic risks and vulnerabilities.
The Romanian center, scheduled to launch at the end of January, will provide NATO with a stable southern route to supply frontlines in Donbas and coastal regions.
The outlet reported that the Romanian center will come under NATO's direct command and will be integrated into a system that matches operational needs, including artillery, air defense, and electronic warfare, with donor capabilities.
General Keller also outlined the scale of support provided to Ukraine in 2025. Partners delivered approximately 220,000 tons of military cargo, supported by 9,000 trucks, 1,800 rail cars, and more than 500 strategic air shipments.
He noted that US deliveries under the PURL mechanism do not wait for final payment before shipments begin; as soon as a PURL package is announced, the supply of materials starts.
Aid to Ukraine
Recently, Keller emphasized that weapons and material deliveries to Ukraine have continued without interruption despite the Trump administration's decision to halt "direct donations."
In early December, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported that five countries allocated $1 billion to Ukraine to purchase weapons through the PURL program, including missiles for Patriot air defense systems.
Additionally, on December 12, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska indicated that Ukraine will receive approximately $5 billion in weapons from US stockpiles under the PURL initiative, with deliveries expected to continue through the end of 2025.
