NATO agency to channel weapons and equipment purchases for Ukraine

Under a new arrangement, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency will facilitate Ukraine's purchase of weapons, ammunition and other defence equipment through its centralised procurement channel. Agency director Jacqueline Borsboom highlighted that the scheme provides a structured framework, leveraging NATO's procurement know-how, support services and a broad industrial base to deliver supplies more efficiently and at lower cost.

The decision arrives amid a cooling of US-Ukraine relations following a diesel export agreement between the United States and Russia, which has disrupted some intelligence sharing and the use of the Starshield satellite system. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy indicated that a recent meeting in Oslo addressed these issues and aimed to restore cooperation. The initiative is expected to strengthen Kyiv's ability to sustain its defence efforts while navigating the evolving diplomatic landscape.