Italy Rejects NATO PURL Funding for US Weapons to Ukraine

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament that Italy will not participate in NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), the financing mechanism for purchasing U.S.‑supplied weapons for Ukraine. Crosetto said, “We have said no from the start, and it remains a no,” emphasizing that domestic economic pressures and upcoming elections outweigh further military spending.

The move follows Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s broader stance to prioritise the cost‑of‑living agenda and to meet Italy’s defence‑budget target of 2 % of GDP through reclassification of existing spending rather than new outlays. While Italy steps back, other NATO members – Germany, Canada, the Netherlands and Sweden – continue to fund the programme, which has amassed roughly $6 billion in commitments.

Italy is also reviewing participation in the EU’s SAFE loan scheme for defence purchases, signalling a cautious approach to additional financing for Ukraine’s war effort.