Warsaw — Poland has temporarily suspended additional financial contributions to NATO's Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, which funds the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the decision on November 13, 2026, citing the country's high budget deficit and substantial domestic defense spending.
Tusk confirmed that he had informed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about the decision. He said Poland would not allocate further funds to the initiative at this stage because its own security and military spending remain among the highest in Europe. However, he emphasized that Poland would continue providing substantial assistance to Ukraine.
What Is NATO's PURL Program?
Launched on July 14, 2025, by U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, PURL allows NATO members and partner countries to finance the purchase of U.S.-manufactured weapons for Ukraine.
Under the mechanism, Ukraine identifies its priority military requirements, while NATO and the United States coordinate procurement packages. Participating countries provide funding, and the United States supplies the equipment through NATO-coordinated deliveries.
According to Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, 29 countries had joined the initiative by July 2026, contributing approximately $6.7 billion. The program has become particularly important for supplying Patriot air defense interceptors, accounting for around 95% of Ukraine's Patriot interceptor deliveries through the initiative.
Poland previously contributed $100 million to PURL in November 2025 as part of a joint $500 million package with Germany and Norway.
PURL Faces a $2 Billion Funding Shortfall
Poland's decision comes amid wider funding challenges for the initiative. Reports in November indicated a shortfall of approximately $2 billion for previously approved weapons packages, prompting the United States to seek additional financial contributions from NATO allies.
The funding situation is particularly important for Ukraine's air defense requirements. On October 30, 2026, the U.S. State Department approved a potential $2.1 billion sale of 500 PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles for Patriot systems. However, deliveries could take several years.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has therefore asked international partners to transfer missiles from their existing stockpiles, requesting up to 100 Patriot interceptors per month during the winter of 2026–2027.
Poland Continues Other Military Support to Ukraine
The suspension applies specifically to additional contributions to the PURL program and does not represent an end to Poland's overall military assistance to Ukraine.
In a separate development, Polish Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk announced on November 10 that Poland and Ukraine had agreed to establish joint working groups on drone and anti-drone technologies.
The two countries are also finalizing arrangements under which Poland would transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in exchange for access to Ukrainian drone and counter-drone technologies.
The latest decision therefore concerns Poland's participation in one specific NATO funding mechanism, while bilateral military cooperation with Ukraine continues.
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