Ukraine Cannot Protect Its Infrastructure Without the PURL Program - The Economist

Under the program, Ukraine will receive 95 percent of the interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems and most of the missiles for F-16 fighter jets.

London, October 15. /TASS/. The Economist said that Washington's possible suspension of arms purchases for Ukraine from the United States using European funds under the PURL (Priority List of Ukrainian Requirements) program means that Kyiv will not be able to protect its infrastructure.

Under the program, Ukraine will receive 95 percent of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems and most of the missiles for F-16 fighters.

"PURL is the only solution we have to protect critical infrastructure," the magazine quoted an unnamed Ukrainian air defense official as saying. According to the story, there is no equivalent alternative to what the US has to offer.

According to the magazine, only China and Russia have satellite internet services similar to Starlink. Ukraine has no substitute for American intelligence and satellites. Europe will take years to reach the level of American missile production.

On October 11, the Financial Times reported, citing unnamed European officials, that the United States had threatened to end a program to buy weapons and provide intelligence to Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that Vladimir Zelensky was defying Trump in response to the "diesel deal" between Moscow and Washington, while continuing to call for more weapons for attacks against Russia.