NATO Faces Roughly €7 Billion Shortfall in Military Aid Pledged to Ukraine
NATO allies are around €7 billion short of their pledge to provide Ukraine with €70 billion in military aid this year, three alliance diplomats said. The gap could limit Kyiv's ability to buy air defense and other equipment this winter.
NATO member countries face a funding gap of about €7 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year, as Russia intensifies its air attacks and Kyiv asks for more air defenses. Three alliance diplomats, speaking anonymously in Brussels, described the shortfall. Less than two months remain until the end of the year.
In July, NATO's 32 members agreed to provide €70 billion in military support to Ukraine in 2026 and the same amount in 2027. The target combines bilateral contributions made throughout the year with €30 billion drawn from the European Union's €90 billion loan to Ukraine.
It is unclear exactly where the gap is coming from, but it will likely hamper Ukraine's ability to buy equipment needed to fend off Russian missiles and drones this winter. The diplomats said allies might miss this year's target, although new pledges are still expected. European capitals are due to discuss ways to raise funding and speed up deliveries of critical weapons at an alliance meeting on Nov. 17.
Appeals from Kyiv and NATO's leadership
Ukraine's ambassador to NATO, Alyona Getmanchuk, stressed in a closed-door meeting on Thursday that allies must honor the commitment made at the Ankara Summit. Ukraine's mission urged partners to turn announced commitments into concrete deliveries of equipment or transfers of funds. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, during a visit to Tallinn, said allies need to do more, especially on air defense. A NATO official said allies continue to provide essential military support.
Strain on donors
The United States, once the main donor, has stopped almost all new aid since Donald Trump returned to the White House, leaving European countries as Ukraine's key backers. Many face fiscal pressure, while Germany, the Netherlands and Nordic countries, which have historically given outsized amounts, have repeatedly urged others to contribute more. One diplomat cited "some fatigue" among the largest donors.
The shortfall includes a $1.9 billion gap in funding for unpaid deliveries under PURL, the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, through which European allies buy U.S. weapons such as Patriot interceptors for Kyiv. Allies doubt they will reach Rutte's $15 billion PURL target this year. Since its launch in 2025, the scheme has raised about $9 billion, and 29 allies have contributed.
