Will US weapons for Ukraine be diverted to Middle East? Nato Secretary General addresses rumors
Photo: Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General (Getty Images)
Ukraine continues to receive US weapons purchased by European partners under the PURL program, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said this during the presentation of his 2025 report.
The Secretary General was asked to comment on media rumors that the US might redirect weapons intended for Ukraine to the Middle East.
"This crucial equipment through Pearl, so this US fighter equipment for Ukraine, including interceptors, is continuing to flow into Ukraine," Mark Rutte replied.
He added that since the launch of the PURL program last summer, Ukraine has been receiving about 75% of all missiles for its Patriot batteries and 90% of interceptors used in other air defense systems under the program.
"So this is an important program, again, continuing to flow," he concluded.
Rumors about weapons for Ukraine
Earlier, The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, reported that the Pentagon is considering redirecting weapons intended for Ukraine to the Middle East.
In particular, this concerns interceptor missiles for air defense systems that were purchased under the PURL program.
Previously, Western media also reported issues with interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system in Middle Eastern countries.
As noted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Gulf countries used 800 such missiles in just three days.
