Pete Hegseth asked on Wednesday, October 15, NATO member countries to increase weapons purchases in the US for Ukraine, emphasizing the vital role of the Purl initiative in providing the necessary military equipment.
Pete Hegseth and Mark Rutte, at the NATO's defense ministers meeting. Photo: X/Pete Hegseth
The US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, asked NATO member states on Wednesday, October 15, October 15 to be delivered to Ukraine through Purl (Prosecutor and Urgent Resupply of Lethal Defense), initiative launched this summer by NATO and Washington, Agerpres notes.
“Our expectations today are for more countries to donate even more and to buy even more, to provide Ukraine the necessary means to lead this conflict to a peaceful resolution,” Hegseth said in a short press conference, along with Secretary General NATO, Mark Rutte.
The head of the Pentagon participated on Wednesday, October 15, at the NATO defense meeting, followed by a meeting of the contact group for Ukraine, which brings together about 50 states and is known as Ramstein, after the German city where it has been reunited for the first time.
In his speech, the American official stressed that NATO is
“Stronger than ever more fair”, highlighting the efforts of European and Canada allies to align their defense expenses at the level of American.
“We are waiting to continue the collaboration to maintain the power of our armed forces and keep peace,” he said.
At the same time, the US Secretary of Defense has made a comparison between US support in the Middle East and the situation in Ukraine, saying that “the world goes through a historical moment in which many things can happen.”
“The world sees that we have a pacifist president, who seeks peace, supporting those who are with the US and defends peace. It is what we have seen in Gaza and I hope we can see in Ukraine,” commented Pete Hegseth.
The initiative Purl
For his part, the head of NATO, Mark Rutte, stressed that Purl, the program by which Ukraine receives equipment and priority ammunition, paid by the Allied states, is in full.
“This program is already ongoing. So far two billion dollars have been employed, and today we are waiting for many new ads from the countries that will participate.” said Mark Rutte, explaining that Purl packages are delivered periodically, each worth about 500 million dollars, and contain military equipment that the US can provide in quantities greater than Europe and Canada.
