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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday (December 3) that two-thirds of NATO member states have now committed to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a programme designed to coordinate and deliver military and logistical support for Ukraine.
Speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Rutte said the combined contributions from allies and partners had exceeded $4 billion, bringing the alliance close to its annual goal of $5 billion. He added that Australia and New Zealand have joined the initiative, becoming the first non-NATO partners to do so.
"Today, we heard from allies committing more resources to support Ukraine, including Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Poland," Rutte said, noting the growing number of nations backing the initiative.
The NATO chief acknowledged that while progress was being made, all member states must share the burden equally. “We must do more, and all allies need to pull their weight to ensure that we are prepared and that the responsibility is fairly shared,” he said.
Rutte also said ministers discussed defence spending targets, reaffirming plans to reach the commitments made in The Hague, where allies agreed to invest 5% of GDP annually in defence.
Turning to the situation in Ukraine, Rutte reiterated NATO’s strong support for ongoing peace efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump, describing them as essential to ending the conflict.
"We all want the bloodshed to end, and I strongly welcome President Trump’s continued efforts to bring about a just and lasting peace," Rutte said. “There is only one person in the whole world who was able to break the deadlock when it comes to the war in Ukraine, and that is the American president, Donald J. Trump.”
Rutte said NATO fully supports Washington’s role in peace negotiations and will continue coordinating closely with the U.S. and other allies as talks move forward.
The PURL mechanism, launched earlier this year, aims to streamline Ukraine’s military assistance by matching Kyiv’s battlefield needs with available resources from NATO members and partners.
As of December, contributions under the framework have surpassed $4 billion, with additional commitments expected in the coming months.
A preliminary round of Lebanon-Israel talks has concluded in Washington, marking a tentative diplomatic step as regional tensions rise. The development comes as the United States launches a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Greenland’s prime minister has appointed his predecessor to oversee foreign affairs, as pressure from Washington intensifies over the Arctic island’s future.
Spain’s plan to grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants is facing early resistance, with immigration officers warning they may strike over a lack of preparation and resources.
The U.S. and Iran could resume peace talks over the next couple of days, U.S. President Donald Trump has said. Talks between Israel and Lebanon were held in Washington yesterday. Fuel prices have dropped below $100 a barrel. U.S. blockade on Iranian ports completes first day.
An Indian healthcare provider plans to invest $50 million in diagnostic and pharmaceutical projects in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region, aiming to expand access to advanced medical services between 2026 and 2028.
France is set to vote on a controversial law targeting what it calls “new forms” of antisemitism, sparking sharp divisions and raising concerns over free speech, criticism of Israel and the protection of Jewish communities.
Hungary’s election winner, Péter Magyar, said on Wednesday his cabinet could be sworn in by mid-May, with Magyar taking office as prime minister, and pledged swift action to unlock billions in suspended European Union funding.
A former NATO chief and senior figure the UK's ruling Labour Party has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing his government of failing to adequately fund defence.
Russia has signalled it is ready to increase energy supplies to China, underscoring deepening ties between the two powers ahead of an expected visit by President Vladimir Putin.
Germany has announced an additional €20 million in humanitarian support for Sudan as Berlin hosts a major international conference aimed at raising more than $1 billion to address one of the world’s most severe and increasingly overlooked crises.
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