FT: US threatens to halt arms supplies to Ukraine under PURL programme

US President Donald Trump's administration is threatening to halt arms supplies to Ukraine under the PURL programme if attacks on Russian oil refineries continue.

Source: Financial Times, citing European officials

Quote: "The Trump administration is threatening to stop the procurement system that provides Ukraine with weapons in order to press Kyiv to halt its deep strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, according to officials in Europe.

The officials, who received calls from American officials on Saturday and Sunday or were briefed on them, said the US was lobbying European capitals and Kyiv in an attempt to end the attacks on Russian oil refineries. The White House declined to confirm or comment on the calls."

Details: The officials added that the US messages had included threats to suspend intelligence sharing and shut down the PURL mechanism, which uses a list of Ukraine's priority needs to procure American weapons.

"They are calling Kyiv... they are calling everyone [in Europe]," said an official who had received a call from a US Department of Defense representative.

The FT noted that on 11 October, Trump had surprised Kyiv and the European countries on whom his administration had been trying to exert pressure by announcing on social media that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to an energy ceasefire.

"Just now our repair teams are restoring electricity and water supplies in Kyiv [after Russian strikes]. Nobody has heard [of the ceasefire]," a senior Ukrainian official close to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the FT shortly after Trump's post.

Background:

• On 9 October, Trump said he had had a "highly successful discussion" with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and reached an agreement on lifting sanctions on Russian diesel fuel.
• On 10 October, Trump said it is time for Ukraine to get a new president who could strike a deal with Russia.
• On 11 October, Trump claimed that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to an immediate energy ceasefire.
• Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is willing to refrain from striking Russian energy infrastructure and expects a similar willingness from Russia, but the Russians have not yet stopped their attacks, including attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities.

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