On October 11, 2026, it became known that the Trump administration is intensifying pressure on Ukraine, demanding it cease strikes on Russian oil refineries. According to the Financial Times, U.S. officials warned Kyiv and European allies about the potential cessation of intelligence sharing and the blocking of the PURL mechanism, through which American weapons are purchased for Ukraine.
What is the PURL Program?
The Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program was established to allow European countries to finance the purchase of American weapons according to the prioritized needs of Ukrainian defense. Halting this program could significantly complicate the supply of necessary arms to Ukraine, even if European partners are willing to fund these purchases.
Threats from the USA
According to the Financial Times, U.S. officials are actively contacting representatives from Ukraine and European countries to convey their demands to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries. Specifically, these include:
- threats to halt the PURL mechanism;
- possible cessation of military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine;
- active negotiations with European allies to support these demands.
Reactions to the Pressure
Some experts believe that such actions by the U.S. represent an attempt to change Ukraine's course in the conflict with Russia. They emphasize that instead of exerting pressure on the aggressor, Washington is choosing to threaten those who are defending themselves. This raises concerns among Ukrainian and European politicians, who believe that such a strategy could lead to serious security consequences in the region.