Ukraine not to be able to protect its infrastructure without PURL program — The Economist

World October 15, 23:04

Under this program, Ukraine receives 95% of the interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense systems and most of the missiles for F-16 fighter jets

LONDON, October 15. /TASS/. Washington’s possible halt to arms purchases for Ukraine from the US using European funds under the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) program will mean that Kiev will be unable to protect its infrastructure, The Economist said.

It said that under this program, Ukraine receives 95% of the interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense systems and most of the missiles for F-16 fighter jets.

"PURL is the only solution we have to protect critical infrastructure," the magazine quotes an unnamed Ukrainian air defense servicemember as saying. According to the story, there is no equivalent alternative to what the United States provides.

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

On October 11, the Financial Times reported citing unnamed European officials that the US was threatening to halt the arms procurement program and the provision of intelligence information to Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier on Thursday that Vladimir Zelensky, in his reaction to the "diesel deal" between Moscow and Washington, is issuing a direct, albeit crude, challenge to Trump, while continuing to request more weapons for strikes against Russia.

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