Spain has decided to join the PURL program (Ukraine's Priority Requirements List), established by NATO in response to the United States' new defense policies under the administration of Donald Trump. The Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, confirmed Spain's integration into this program during his arrival at the European Council in Brussels, reaffirming the country's commitment as a "reliable ally". This decision comes amid criticisms from Trump, who has questioned Spain's lack of investment in defense, noting that it is the only NATO ally that does not commit to allocating 5% of its GDP to defense.
The PURL, activated in August with the aim of acquiring American arms, emerges in the wake of Trump's announcement that he would not provide free military support to Ukraine. This program has been supported by several NATO countries and aims to help Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Spain's announcement seeks to ease tensions with the United States, especially at a critical moment in the bilateral relationship. Despite concerns about the level of military investment, the Spanish government maintains that it can meet the Alliance's objectives with a contribution of 2.1% of GDP, although NATO will review these commitments on a regular basis.
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