The United States is pressuring Greece to contribute to the PURL initiative, which funds the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine, Greek outlet Ekathimerini reported , citing domestic sources.
Ahead of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, officials at the U.S. Embassy in Athens conveyed Washington’s request for Greece to join PURL, the report said.
U.S. diplomats praised Greece’s “principled stance” on Ukraine and acknowledged fiscal constraints as the financial year nears its end. They proposed that Athens sign a General Framework Arrangement to lock in commitments while leaving the contribution amount to be determined later. Washington also advised Greece to avoid joining the minority of NATO countries that are not contributing to PURL.
Separately, Italy said it will not take part in NATO’s PURL program to procure U.S. weapons for Ukraine while peace talks continue.
Rutte says countries outside NATO will also join the PURL program.
