Spain will join a NATO initiative to jointly procure US weapons for Ukraine, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Thursday, framing the move as part of Madrid’s broader backing for Kyiv and commitment to the Alliance.
Trump’s Renewed Criticism of Madrid’s Defense Spending
“Spain is a country committed to the Atlantic Alliance and to supporting Ukraine at all levels,” Sánchez told reporters ahead of an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, as cited by El País, adding that Madrid has been weighing which joint purchases to make since the scheme was launched.
The announcement came only hours after US President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of Spain’s low defense spending, EURACTIV reported. In Washington on Wednesday, Trump told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, “You’ll have to talk to Spain.” Frustrated by what he sees as Madrid’s reluctance to commit more, Trump said earlier this month that the Alliance should consider expelling Spain, according to Politico.
Trump also floated new tariffs on Spanish exports, declaring, “Spain is not a team player.”
The program, known as Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), was launched in July under Trump’s coordination and allows NATO members to buy weapons from US stocks – including depots in Europe – for direct transfer to Ukraine.
Talks With Kyiv and Defense Coordination
Sánchez’s move follows a phone call on Tuesday with President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which Zelenskyy and Sánchez discussed Ukraine’s energy needs and agreed on new steps to support the country.
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The Ukrainian Defense Ministry also confirmed talks between Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles and her Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal on last Monday, focused on arms transfers and defense cooperation.
Still, it remains unclear how much funding Spain will commit.
Allies Close Ranks
As of announcements from Oct. 15, more than half of NATO allies had signed up to PURL after defense ministers met in Brussels, though Secretary General Mark Rutte did not name the new participants.
To date, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany and Canada have each consolidated $500 million packages, while Estonia, Belgium, Lithuania and Luxembourg have pledged additional contributions without completing full packages.
Latvia has announced an intention to take part.
