Italy Joins NATO's PURL Program to Fund US Weapons for Ukraine

Italy Commits to PURL Initiative

Italy has formally joined the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, an initiative designed to facilitate the purchase of American-made weapons for Ukraine by European allies. The announcement, reported by Bloomberg on October 20-21, 2025, follows a shift in Rome's position, which had initially expressed reservations about the program. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed Rome's readiness to participate during a recent meeting of NATO defense ministers.

Understanding the PURL Program

The PURL initiative, established in the summer of 2025 and launched by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. President Donald Trump on July 14, 2025, serves as a crucial mechanism for supplying military aid to Ukraine. It emerged as a replacement for direct U.S. military funding, which ceased in mid-2025, with the U.S. transitioning to selling weapons instead.

The program operates on a clear structure:

• Ukraine compiles a list of its most critical defense needs.
• This list is then agreed upon with NATO and the United States.
• NATO member states (excluding the U.S.) and partners make voluntary financial contributions.
• The United States subsequently delivers the identified weapons and equipment to Ukraine.

PURL primarily focuses on procuring weapons and ammunition not readily produced in Europe, including advanced systems such as Patriot air defense systems and HIMARS. Individual aid packages are typically valued at approximately $500 million, with an ambitious goal of raising $1 billion in monthly contributions. As of October 15, 2025, total contributions to PURL had exceeded $2 billion, with some reports indicating a figure of $2.5 billion. Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal has projected that the program will require between $12 billion and $20 billion in 2026 to meet Ukraine's needs.

Italy's Evolving Stance and Previous Contributions

Italy's decision to join PURL represents a notable policy shift. Rome had initially resisted participation, citing that Ukraine already possessed alternative channels for acquiring weaponry. However, this stance evolved, partly driven by concerns that Italy might be marginalized if PURL became the primary support mechanism among NATO allies, and a desire to maintain influence within the alliance.

Prior to joining PURL, Italy had already demonstrated significant support for Ukraine, delivering at least ten (some sources indicate eleven) military aid packages. These packages, with a total value estimated between €2.5 and €3 billion for the eleven packages, included critical equipment such as SAMP/T air-defense systems. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has consistently affirmed Italy's political commitment to Kyiv.

Looking ahead, Italy is reportedly preparing its 12th military aid package for Ukraine, which is expected to include ammunition and air defense systems, potentially by the end of the year. The specific amount of Italy's financial contribution to the PURL program is yet to be determined.