Pete Hegseth urged NATO allies to increase spending on American weapons for Ukraine, highlighting the recent decline in military support.

U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, called on NATO allies on October 15 to increase their spending on purchasing American weapons for Ukraine, in the context of a significant decrease in military support for Kyiv in July and August. Hegseth stated that peace is achieved through real military power, not through harsh statements. He encouraged member states to invest more in the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, which has replaced previous arms donations. Although $2 billion has already been committed through this mechanism, the amount falls short of Ukrainian President Zelensky's expectations, who hopes for $3.5 billion. While Sweden, Estonia, and Finland have promised contributions, other countries, such as Spain and the United Kingdom, have been criticized for abstaining from support. Ukraine remains dependent on American weapons amid a new winter of conflict with Russia, and military aid has decreased by 43% in recent months.