NATO Chief Rutte: “Floodgates” of U.S. Weapons to Ukraine Open $2 B Approved, $10 B More Expected

NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte has publicly affirmed that the United States is now supplying weapons to Ukraine “continuously,” with a $2 billion package already approved and the possibility of another $10 billion in the pipeline. Rutte said former President Trump himself told him that the “floodgates” are open for U.S. weapon transfers.

This comes after a brief pause in some military shipments earlier in 2025 — a halt reportedly ordered by the Pentagon to allow a review of U.S. weapons stockpiles. That pause affected key ammunition and missile supplies. But now, many of those paused weapons have resumed delivery, including 155 mm artillery shells and GMLRS precision rockets.
The suspension had also touched systems like Patriot missiles, Hellfire missiles, and Howitzer rounds, though the full scope of the pause remains somewhat opaque.

What is happening now

• NATO allies are funding U.S.-made equipment for Ukraine under a mechanism called PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List). This enables allies to pay for weapons produced in the U.S., which are then sent to Ukraine.

• Under this model, the $2 billion already allocated covers U.S. equipment financed by NATO countries. Rutte says further packages (potentially up to $10 billion) are under consideration.

• The arms being delivered are mostly defensive and indirect fire systems — artillery rounds, rockets, and missile interceptors, rather than major new aircraft or heavy bombers. These systems help Ukraine defend its territory and repel strikes.

• Rutte stresses that this supply line must remain steady. The pause, even if momentary, sent worry across Ukraine’s leadership and among NATO nations.

Why the pause, and why the restart

The pause came amid concerns that the Pentagon’s stockpiles might be under strain. Officials wanted to ensure that continued donations would not jeopardize U.S. readiness in other global theaters. This review reportedly caught some parts of the administration by surprise, including the State Department and lawmakers.

But pressure from allied nations, escalating battlefield demands in Ukraine, and political messaging from Trump — who insisted the resumption of arms supplies — have pushed the U.S. back into action.

What this means for Ukraine and NATO

• For Ukraine, the renewed flow of munitions and missiles is a lifeline. The war continues to impose heavy demands on ammunition stocks, air defense systems, and long-range strike capabilities.

• For NATO, the arrangement is significant: European allies are increasingly bearing the financial burden of U.S.-made weapon support. This shifts some responsibility and risk to the alliance as a whole.

• For U.S. defense policy, it’s a test of how to balance domestic stockpile security with global commitments.

Trump and NATO appear to have struck a political — and militarily consequential — deal: the floodgates are open again, with billions more in arms ready to pour into Ukraine, assuming the United States and its allies can manage both the demand and the supply.