31st UDCG meeting: Key Outcomes and Commitments
Partners are mobilizing unprecedented financial support through the US-led PURL initiative, preparing Ukrainian air defense for winter, and sending a clear signal to the Kremlin
On October 15, a series of key events took place in Brussels, outlining the contours of further support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian war of aggression. That day saw the 31st meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), also known as the Ramstein format, a meeting of NATO defense ministers, and an informal meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. At each of these meetings, the agenda was dominated by the Russo-Ukrainian war and the strengthening of Ukraine's defense capabilities. The key outcome was not only the reaffirming of steadfast support for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression, but also a demonstration of its qualitative transformation: the Allies are moving from situation-driven assistance packages to long-term strategic initiatives, focused on joint arms purchases, expanded production, and strengthening NATO’s role as coordinator.
31st RAMSTEIN: NEW COORDINATION AND AN "UNEXPECTED" GUEST
The 31st meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), held in Brussels on October 15, was co-chaired by the British Defense Minister John Healy and the German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. It was attended by representatives from 50 countries, as well as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. However, the personal presence of Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth attracted particular attention. This was the first meeting since February which the US Defense Secretary attended offline, rather than via a video conference link. This move was interpreted as a powerful political signal, demonstrating the increased US involvement in coordinating assistance to Ukraine.
Defense Ministers Denys Shmyhal of Ukraine and John Healy of the United Kingdom
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, outlined in explicit terms Kyiv’s priorities and needs. The Ramstein format remains a key platform for international cooperation in military support for Ukraine, Shmyhal emphasized, and called on partners to take decisive action to ramp up pressure on Russia.
The discussions were mostly focused on preparing Ukrainian air defenses for winter. In particular, Denys Shmyhal urged partners to provide a "winter package" of air defense systems to protect Ukraine's energy infrastructure from expected Russian attacks.
“We are preparing for a very difficult winter. We understand that Putin will continue his terror, will continue to destroy our energy facilities, our civilian infrastructure. Therefore, we need more interceptors. And this was the main focus of our attention today,” the Ukrainian Defense Minister emphasized.
The discussions addressed Ukraine’s urgent need for a sufficient supply of interceptor missiles, air defense systems, as well as surface-to-air and air-launched guided missiles for NASAMS, IRIS-T systems and F-16 fighters to protect the civilian population and critical infrastructure.
On top of that, Ukrainian Defense Minister laid out the country’s financial needs for 2026, putting the its defense needs next year at US$120 billion. “Ukraine will cover half, 60 billion, from our national coffers. We are asking partners to join us in covering the other half,” he said, adding that “the most efficient, effective, fast” way for Kyiv’s backers to do that would be “to dedicate no less than 0.25% of their GDP (gross domestic product) to military support.”
He suggested a possible financing mechanism such as lending at the cost of sovereign Russian assets frozen in Western jurisdictions.
PURL IN FOCUS: MORE THAN HALF OF NATO ALLIES READY TO JOIN THE INITIATIVE
A key outcome of the meeting was the unprecedented expansion of the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) initiative. This mechanism, created in July 2025, allows European allies and Canada to finance the delivery of U.S.-manufactured weapons and equipment to Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that over half of NATO's 32 member states have committed to the PURL program as of October 2025, adding that “commitments” made by European nations would soon turn into “capabilities” for Ukraine.
“Initially, just six countries, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Canada and Germany, had joined the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) scheme, but Wednesday's meeting saw 10 more join up following pressure from the NATO chief and the US, bringing the total to 32,” Rutte said.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
Overall, according to the NATO Secretary General, 17 countries have made financial commitments under the initiative. During the day, the number of countries willing and ready to finance the purchases grew almost threefold. Among the countries that announced their contributions were Sweden, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, Norway and Slovenia. Lithuania, which has committed USD 30 million, and Finland as well officially announced they are joining the PURL initiative. The total amount committed by allies under this program has exceeded USD 2 billion so far.
United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stressed the importance of this initiative, urging all allies to turn words into action.
“Allies often say that Ukraine's security is synonymous with European security. Well, now then, therefore, is the time for all NATO countries to turn words into action in the form of PURL investments. All countries around this table, no free riders," the Pentagon head said.
Hegseth emphasized that the PURL initiative is aimed at "bringing peace to this conflict." "And if we have learned anything under President Trump, it is the active application of peace through strength. You get peace when you are strong. Not when you use strong words or wag your fingers, you get it when you have strong and real capabilities that adversaries respect. And I think that is what NATO is doing, I think that is what the PURL initiative is, so we expect today that more countries will sacrifice even more, that they will buy even more to provide Ukraine with a peaceful end to this conflict," he said, adding that the initiative allows Ukraine to be provided with critically important American weapons that only the United States can provide.
NEW US RHETORIC AND GERMAN LEADERSHIP
In addition to financial commitments, the meeting in Brussels sets out with a series of powerful political statements indicating a shift in emphasis in key partners’ approaches of. The most noticeable was the evolution of the rhetoric of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. His speech showed a change in tone compared to previous months -- from nearly imperative to recognition and respect for the Ukrainian army’s courage and perseverance.
Hegseth made it clear that the US expects European allies to take most of burden of conventional defense of the continent, while simultaneously sending an unambiguous signal to Moscow.
“Now is the time to end this tragic war, stop the senseless bloodshed, and come to the table for peace. If there is no path to peace in the short term, then the United States, along with our allies, will take the steps necessary to impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression,” Mr. Hegseth said. “If we must take this step, the U.S. War Department stands ready to do our part in ways that only the United States can do,” he added.
Pentagon head Pete Hegseth
“We remain clear-eyed about the fact that the most effective deterrence to Russian aggression are, number one, a lethal, capable and European-led NATO,” Mr. Hegseth said. He also cited a credible Ukrainian military, and urged Europe to “translate goals into guns, commitments into capabilities.”
He stressed that the most effective deterrent to Russian aggression is “a lethal, capable NATO under European leadership”. And he said a “combat credible” Ukrainian military will need to be able to defend itself and “thereby continue to deter Russian aggression along NATO’s border.” The speech, which concluded with a promise to “end the war in Ukraine” under President Trump, demonstrated the new American strategy of achieving “peace through strength.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte summed up the general mood of the meeting by underscoring the Alliance’s unity: “NATO clearly prioritizes to keep Ukraine in the fight as strong as possible today, making sure that all Allies, but also outside NATO, our partners, give Ukraine whatever they can to make sure that you have what you need, both in lethal and non-lethal air defense systems, etc, etc. And of course, recently, we had the good news from the US that they decided to again supply to Ukraine all the military gear, the military kit only the US is able to provide. We have to make clear to Putin that he can never win this and that we will keep on supporting you.”
KEY COMMITMENTS FOR THE BATTLEFIELD: FROM AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS TO MILLIONS OF DRONES
Behind the loud statements lay specific commitments to supply weapons and finance defense programs.
Germany announced a new military aid package worth over €2 billion (over $2.3 billion). This includes: air defense systems, among them Patriot interceptors, radar systems, high-precision artillery rockets and ammunition, a further two IRIS-T air defense systems together with a large batch of guided rockets, anti-tank weapons, man-portable air defense systems, and advanced communications equipment. Berlin has additionally committed funding of €400 million for long-range drone production.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal
Ukraine requested over US$4 billion for the immediate financial need for drone and missile production. Shmyhal said that with funding, Ukraine could produce up to 10-20 million FPV, ISR and other drones in 2026, adding that Ukrainian Deep Strike drones already allow for an asymmetrical response to Russian strikes, resulting in the enemy experiencing a gasoline shortage of up to 20%.
Sweden announced US$8 billion in security assistance for 2026–2027;
Czech Republic announced a new aid package worth US$72 million;
Canada committed US$20 million for winter equipment and missile components, in addition to US$8 million for interceptor drones;
Portugal pledged US$12 million to the British IFU arms procurement fund for Ukraine;
Finland announced the preparation of its 13th military aid package;
Denmark pledged US$171 million for troop training, naval needs, armored equipment maintenance, in addition to free fuel supplies;
Estonia pledged US$12 million for UAVs, in particular, interceptor drones.
Allies committed a total of US$715 million for purchases from Ukraine's defense industry.
Norway announced contributions of US$600 million for Ukrainian UAVs, electronic warfare systems, and explosives.
The Netherlands announced US$106 million for strike and reconnaissance UAVs;
Canada committed to provide US$8 million for interceptor drones;
Iceland announced US$4 million under the "Danish model" framework.
In addition to direct military assistance, important memorandums of cooperation were signed. In particular, Germany and Ukraine signed a new agreement to expand cooperation in the defense industry and technology, including the joint production of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles and ammunition. On top of that, Ukraine and nine Northern and Baltic countries launched a new initiative to train and equip Ukrainian units of the brigade level in Poland.
CONCLUSION
The October 15 meetings in Brussels have demonstrated that the Allied support for Ukraine is not only steadfast, but it is also taking on a new quality. Moscow’s hopes for Western fatigue and a reduction in aid are futile. On the contrary, the partners are moving towards long-term strategic planning, strengthening coordination and investing in joint defense initiatives such as PURL. The change in US rhetoric, German financial and technological leadership, as well as the unprecedented consolidation around weapons procurements for Ukraine send a clear signal to the Kremlin: the unity of the West cannot be broken, and it stands ready to provide Ukraine with everything it needs to defend itself and all of Europe, bringing a just and lasting peace closer through strength.
Myroslav Liskovych, Kyiv
Photo courtesy of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry
