NATO members, excluding the United States, pool contributions through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) to buy American weapons, ammunition, and equipment. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine expects around $3.5 billion by next month to fund these purchases and sustain its defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion. “We received more than $2 billion from our partners specifically for the PURL program,” Zelenskyy said during a Kyiv news conference with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. He added, “We will receive additional money in October. I think we will have somewhere around $3.5–3.6 billion.” Zelenskyy did not reveal all details of the first shipments but confirmed they will include Patriot air defense missiles and HIMARS munitions. Patriots protect Ukraine from Russian missile attacks, while HIMARS improve precision-strike capabilities.
Conflict Persists as Diplomacy Stalls
The war has lasted over three years, and peace remains elusive despite US-led efforts. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia’s willingness to hold negotiations, stating they prefer political and diplomatic solutions. However, Moscow objected to critical proposals, blocking progress. Russian overnight aerial strikes damaged Ukrainian railways and electricity networks, officials said. In addition, a Russian glide bomb struck a town in southern Kherson, wounding three women and a three-year-old girl, regional head Oleksandr Prokudin reported.
US-Ukraine Fund Promotes Mineral Investment
Ukraine plans a $150 million US-Ukraine fund to attract investments in its mineral sector. The US International Development Finance Corporation will provide $75 million, with Ukraine matching the amount, Economy Minister Oleksii Sobolev said. Sobolev called the fund a “beacon” that could encourage additional international support. The April US-Ukraine agreement grants the United States priority access to new mining projects while supporting reconstruction and ongoing military aid. Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said the fund will focus initially on energy, infrastructure, and critical mineral projects, aiming to finance three projects by 2026.
