Zelenskyy secures new PURL contributions during Cyprus talks, Ukraine's FM says
Photo: Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reached agreements in Cyprus on new contributions to PURL and additional aid packages for Ukraine, stated Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
The minister said the informal EU summit in Cyprus was a "turning point."
“Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, and the President of Ukraine withstood the blow. It was a fight that required engaging our partners and using the full range of diplomatic tools. It was one of the toughest challenges. But we managed to accomplish it," Sybiha said.
He added that separate agreements were reached in Cyprus by Zelenskyy on new PURL contributions and additional aid packages for Ukraine.
After Donald Trump returned to the presidency, Washington gradually halted direct military assistance to Ukraine. Instead, a joint program with NATO called PURL was created.
The program aims to rapidly supply Kyiv with critical US weapons that have no European equivalents. For this purpose, a priority list of needs is compiled and agreed upon with Ukraine’s partners.
Purchases are funded by allied countries through contributions to a joint fund. The United States then provides direct deliveries of equipment and ammunition to the front line.
Earlier, on April 22, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Ukraine and Spain are scaling up defense cooperation. The countries will focus on strengthening air defense, supplying long-range munitions, and jointly producing drones.
In addition, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is moving toward developing its own air defense systems. According to him, domestic production of air defense capabilities is a strategic priority for the country.
