President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed the PURL Initiative in meetings with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Canada’s Mark Carney.
The PURL (Partnership for Ukraine’s Rapid Logistics) initiative is a multinational mechanism designed to pool funding from partner countries and rapidly procure weapons for Ukraine based on battlefield needs.
Meeting with the NATO Secretary-General on the sidelines of the 8th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, Armenia, Zelenskyy thanked Rutte for supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians in the fight against Russian aggression, above all for the implementation of PURL, which enables Ukraine to defend against Russia’s ballistic strikes.
He disclosed in a post on X that he and Mark Rutte discussed the implementation of PURL and attracting new contributions from partners. The NATO Secretary General assured that the program is working and that anti-ballistic missiles will continue to be supplied to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian President emphasized the importance of deepening defense cooperation between Ukraine and NATO members, implementing joint projects, and working on co-production.
“It matters that Mark confirmed the program is working and that anti-ballistic missiles will continue to be supplied to Ukraine. It is important to deepen defense cooperation between Ukraine and NATO members, implement joint projects, and work on co-production.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Also, Zelenskyy held a meeting with Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney to discuss strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
He thanked Canada for its defense support packages and participation in the PURL initiative. The Ukrainian President stressed that, amid constant Russian strikes, it is crucial to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense and do everything possible to protect lives.
“I am glad that our countries – and our personal relations – are so strong. Thank you for your decision to strengthen us. I believe our morning meeting in the Washington format was very important because we must push Putin towards peace, towards diplomacy. We are grateful to our Canadian friends and to the entire nation for such strong support.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Carney announced an additional Canadian contribution of USD 200 million to PURL. This brings Canada’s total support for the program to more than USD 830 million.
“All of Canada stands with you, supporting the people of Ukraine. We are pleased that we were able to strengthen our commitments today, and we will continue working and looking for ways to cooperate to support your fight and ensure that when peace comes – and it will come – that peace works and delivers the prosperity the people of Ukraine deserve.”
Mark Carney
The leaders discussed in detail strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and Canada, further support for Ukrainians, and efforts to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
In a post on X, Volodymyr hailed Canada’s support of the PURL initiative. “The additional $200 million announced today by Prime Minister Mark Carney is an important contribution to protecting our people from Russia’s constant ballistic strikes,” he said.
He also lauded the “many productive meetings” on the sidelines of the 8th European Political Community Summit, calling today “an important day.”
“I am grateful to everyone who is ready to work for our shared security and strengthen capabilities to protect life. I thank Armenia and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for the organization. Many countries were represented – and that means a lot. It demonstrates the scale of our unity – of all those who value life. And today, this unity has real strength.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy Says Ukraine War Continues With Same Brutality
Speaking at the inaugural plenary session of the 8th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, Zelenskyy stressed that Russia’s war against Ukraine and Europe continues with the same brutality as before. “This summer will be a moment when Putin decides what to do next: expand the war or move to diplomacy and we must push him toward diplomacy,” he said.
Zelenskyy thanked European Union leaders, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the 20th sanctions package against Russia, particularly those targeting Russian oil, the military industry, and Russian banks.
“We must continue this pressure. We must move Russia to diplomacy. Please oppose any ideas to ease sanctions – this is important. And thank you also to those who are fighting against Russia’s shadow oil fleet.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The President also called for continued strong support for Ukraine as long as Russia’s war continues. He stressed that every aid package matters, especially air defense. In May and throughout the year, Ukraine needs new contributions to the PURL initiative to protect itself against Russian ballistic strikes.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Europe must be capable of independently producing everything necessary to counter ballistic strikes and other types of weapons. The Head of State also noted the importance of developing solutions in case Russia does not end its war.
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