EU Supplies Nearly All Ukrainian Military Aid as Italy Declines PURL Funding

European states are providing about 99% of Ukraine's military assistance, according to German ambassador Heiko Tom in Kyiv. The EU has pledged €60 billion for Ukrainian defence through programmes such as the European Defence Fund and the SAFE credit line, and Germany plans to triple its defence budget by 2030.

Italy, however, has refused to join the PURL mechanism that would use EU funds to purchase U.S. weapons for Kyiv. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government cited strained relations with Washington over Iran and a desire to limit defence spending. While other partners pledged roughly $1 billion through the scheme, Italy’s defence minister Guido Crosetto confirmed the boycott, and Australia contributed $100 million independently.