Estonia to Join U.S.-Led Arms Purchase Initiative for Ukraine

Estonia has confirmed its participation in NATO’s PURL initiative to fund U.S. weapon supplies for Ukraine and indicated its readiness to deploy troops as part of an international coalition if allies approve such a move.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Ukrinform.

Speaking in Brussels alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Estonian President Alar Karis said Tallinn fully supports the PURL program, under which European nations pool funds to buy U.S.-made arms for Kyiv.

“This U.S.-NATO initiative is an excellent step. Estonia is proud to be part of it, and we will continue to stand with Ukraine as it defends its freedom,” Karis told reporters.

He noted that Estonia has already spent 0.3% of its GDP this year on direct military aid to Ukraine and that the country’s defense industry is deepening cooperation with Ukrainian partners.

Karis underlined that Ukraine deserves to see the war end, but stressed from Estonia’s own history that “only a well-guaranteed peace can be strong and lasting.”

The president added that Tallinn is ready to contribute forces to the “Coalition of the Willing” if required to help secure peace in Ukraine. 

He also emphasized the importance of keeping U.S. forces stationed in Europe and said he plans to discuss this further with the commander of U.S. European forces.

As The Gaze reported earlier, Luxembourg became the latest NATO member to join the Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, a joint US-NATO initiative that coordinates the purchase and delivery of Western weapons to Ukraine.