US weapons reaching Ukraine through PURL, but air defense systems face delays – Whitaker
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said he was unaware of any changes to the PURL program, through which allies supply Ukraine with American weapons. However, he acknowledged delivery delays, particularly for air defense systems.
He made the remarks to AFP, Censor.NET reports.
Response to reports of threats
Whitaker did not directly comment on "unconfirmed reports" that Donald Trump’s administration had threatened to halt weapons supplies if Kyiv continued strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
"I don’t think that is consistent with what I know today, which is that the United States continues to sell our equipment and ammunition to our European and Canadian allies, who then transfer them to Ukraine. I am not aware of any changes to this program," he said.
Air defense delivery delays
The ambassador acknowledged, however, that equipment deliveries under PURL are currently facing delays, particularly those of air defense systems.
"Demand for air defense capabilities is high, and their availability is probably not as high as we would like," Whitaker explained.
He said companies were developing new approaches to intercepting incoming projectiles and expressed confidence that the problem could be resolved.
Warning ahead of winter
Whitaker stressed that time remains critical as Ukraine approaches winter. He said that without an energy truce, its electricity and heating infrastructure could come under significant pressure.
The ambassador said Washington was working with allies that have air defense systems to deliver them to Ukraine as quickly as possible.
"We will continue working on this every day, trying to find available stocks, and then we will increase production on both sides of the Atlantic," he said.
Context
- The Kyiv Independent and the Financial Times previously reported that the US had threatened Kyiv with an end to intelligence sharing and PURL over strikes on Russian oil refineries. According to Reuters, US envoys did not threaten to end support during a meeting in Miami but asked Ukraine to stop such strikes.
