NATO chief evasive on US weapon diversion from Ukraine to M-E

Brussels [Belgium], March 28: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday declined to directly address reports that the United States may divert military aid intended for Ukraine to the Middle East as the war with Iran rages on.
At a press conference, Rutte said the US would continue to supply interceptor missiles and other key systems to Ukraine.
However, he did not confirm whether any reductions had been made or were under consideration. NATO sources had earlier indicated that the report by The Washington Post did not come as a surprise.
Earlier, the newspaper, citing several unnamed officials, reported that the Pentagon is reviewing whether weapons originally earmarked for Ukraine should be redirected to the Middle East, as the conflict with Iran is straining US stocks of critical munitions.
The review reportedly includes air defence missiles that were due to be delivered to Ukraine through NATO's PURL weapons procurement programme.
Under the PURL initiative, NATO countries work together to buy defence equipment from the United States for Ukraine, following a sharp reduction in direct US funding.
PURL recently covered a significant share of ammunition for Patriot air defence systems and other air defence capabilities.
According to The Washington Post, the Pentagon has also informed Congress of plans to reallocate around $750 million from the PURL programme to replenish US military stockpiles, rather than provide additional aid to Ukraine.
It remains unclear whether participating European countries were aware of this potential shift. Rutte declined to say whether NATO had been formally notified.
Source: Qatar Tribune