US approves first NATO-funded aid package for Ukraine
The office of US President Donald Trump approved the first NATO-funded aid package for Ukraine.
According to RIA Novosti, Reuters news agency cited exclusive sources saying that the administration of US President Donald Trump and the Pentagon have approved the first military aid package for Ukraine, funded by US NATO allies.
"US Deputy Defense Secretary Elbridge Colby approved two tranches of aid worth $500 million under a new mechanism called the Priority Needs List," Reuters said.
This is the first time the US and its allies have used a new mechanism to provide weapons from US reserves to Ukraine using funds from NATO countries.
In early August 2025, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmygal announced that the US and NATO were launching a new mechanism to support Kiev through the PURL initiative, which would provide rapid arms supplies through voluntary contributions from alliance countries.
Earlier, in July 2025, Politico reported that the US had stopped sending anti-aircraft missiles and other ammunition to Ukraine. The Pentagon reportedly stopped these shipments because of concerns that the weapons stock in US warehouses were too depleted.
However, less than a week later, President Trump announced that he did not know who had ordered the suspension of military aid to Kiev. On July 7, the White House owner pledged to send more weapons to Ukraine, mainly defensive weapons. This information was later confirmed by the US Department of Defense.
Ahead of his trip to the UK, President Donald Trump said on September 16 that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky should reach an agreement on Ukraine.
"Mr. Zelensky is going to have to make a deal," President Trump told reporters before flying to the UK.
The White House chief added that in future talks between Moscow and Kiev, he may have to be present with both delegations at the same time, because the sides "cannot be together."