Washington plans to ask NATO allies to allocate additional funds for the purchase of American weaponry for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kyiv is preparing for trilateral talks with the US and Russia, during which it intends to discuss security guarantees, an energy truce, and the unblocking of the Black Sea. Against the backdrop of Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, attacks on vessels in the Black Sea are heightening security risks for NATO member states. Germany has pledged further assistance to Ukraine, while Norway is allocating over $107 million for investment in the Ukrainian defense sector.
The US Plans to Ask NATO Nations to Increase Funding for Arms Supplies to Ukraine
US authorities intend to request that NATO allies provide additional funding for the PURL program, which is used to procure American weaponry for Ukraine. According to Bloomberg, this request could be submitted as early as November. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the US has already informed certain allies of its intention to seek additional funding. While the exact amount has not yet been determined, there is currently a funding shortfall of approximately $2 billion required to cover arms packages that have already been approved.
According to sources, the US continued to supply weapons to Ukraine even before allies had transferred the funds to pay for them. Should the Pentagon decide to authorize further shipments, this funding gap could widen. The PURL program entails the procurement of American weaponry for Ukraine, funded by partner nations. The Pentagon and the U.S. State Department did not respond to requests for comment from the publication.
Zelenskyy Outlines Topics for Trilateral Talks Between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia in Abu Dhabi
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the American side intends to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and a reconstruction package during a trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi. The meeting is scheduled for November 10–11. The head of state made these remarks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.
"The American side has already signaled a desire to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and a reconstruction package for our nation. They are also discussing with our team the issues we intend to raise at the meeting in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11," Zelenskyy stated.
Ukraine also plans to address the cessation of strikes against energy and critical infrastructure, the unblocking of the Black Sea, the intensification of prisoner exchanges, and the return of people home.
"It is not just Ukraine that has an interest in this; in my view, Russia does as well, as do various countries in Africa and Asia, along with our other partners," the President said, commenting on the Black Sea issue.
Separately, Zelenskyy emphasized the need to prepare for a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia—a meeting in which Europe should also participate.
"There can be no stable and lasting peace unless Europe is involved in the negotiations in one format or another," he noted.
Russia launched a massive strike on Ukraine’s energy sector; Kyiv attacked an oil refinery in Yaroslavl.
On Tuesday, November 3, Russian forces carried out a massive, multi-wave attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, deploying dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia launched 289 drones, 17 ballistic missiles, and 59 cruise missiles. The strikes hit power plants and substations ranging from Odesa in the south to the Rivne region in the west. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy-generating company, reported that three of its five thermal power plants had ceased operations. Ukrainian officials reported power outages in Kyiv and at least six other regions, as well as damage to passenger rail cars, locomotives, and a railway station.
Zelenskyy linked the timing of the attack to the U.S. Congressional elections and urged partners to provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems.
"It is highly significant that all this is taking place on the day of the U.S. Congressional elections. The Russians believe that America will not notice this signal from them. But such terror must be noticed and stopped," the President stated.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Russian forces had attacked Ukrainian energy facilities that supply electricity to military-industrial enterprises and the Ukrainian army. Meanwhile, Russian officials reported that a fire broke out at a large oil refinery in Yaroslavl following an overnight drone attack by Ukraine. Throughout this year, Ukraine has intensified its strikes on Russian oil refining facilities. Next week, Ukraine, the United States, and Russia plan to hold trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, during which Kyiv intends to raise the issue of an "energy truce."
Attacks on vessels in the Black Sea heighten threats to NATO countries
Last month, seven strikes on cargo vessels were recorded near Romania and Bulgaria. In response, НАТО announced the deployment of maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, and drones in the Black Sea to strengthen the Alliance’s eastern flank. However, on October 23, another vessel was struck near Romania’s territorial waters, and last week, a Greek container ship sank following an attack by maritime drones within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. Military analysts believe Russia is behind these attacks. Specifically, the maritime security firm Ambrey noted that the maritime drone observed during the latest attack resembled a Russian model. "I think this is undoubtedly an escalation," stated Siddharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow at the London-based think tank RUSI.
According to Yulia Joia, director of the Black Sea Program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, Russia is exploiting the West's reluctance to allow further escalation.
"It is about testing these red lines, with the full awareness that we will do everything possible to limit ourselves to minimal measures," she said.
NATO stated that Russia’s actions—aimed at deterring Allied support for Ukraine—pose a serious security threat, and that the Alliance’s commitment to defend all its members, including those in the Black Sea region, remains steadfast. According to Ambrey analyst Thomas Aleksi, 317 merchant and other vessels were subjected to attacks in the Black and Azov Seas between May and October. This figure is more than four times higher than that of the preceding six-month period, during which 74 such incidents were recorded. In the third quarter, Ukraine carried out 137 attacks on vessels, compared to 92 by Russia; however, in October alone, the Russian side launched 38 strikes, versus five by Ukraine.
Attacks on shipping have impacted the export of grain and oil via the Black Sea. Russian export statistics indicate that in September, Russia exported only 0.3 million tonnes of grain through the Black and Azov Seas, a sharp decline from the 4.74 million tonnes recorded during the same period last year. In late July, Ukraine suspended operations at its Black Sea ports due to Russian attacks, rerouting a portion of its exports through Danube ports and via Romanian territory. Despite this, Ukrainian grain exports through ports fell to 0.81 million tonnes in September, down from 2.1 million tonnes in the same month the previous year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned of potential consequences for food security.
"Everyone is talking about diesel fuel, but forgetting about grain. In a month or two, everyone will start talking about an agricultural crisis," he stated.
Turkey, Egypt, and India have advocated for a maritime truce; however, Russia has rejected the proposal for a limited ceasefire at sea.
Germany Promises Additional Aid to Ukraine; Norway Invests $107 Million in Defense Industry
During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin on November 3, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged continued support for Kyiv, including assistance with energy supplies ahead of the winter. He also stated, that Russian attacks in the Black Sea pose a risk of further escalation and a global food crisis. "With its attacks in the Black Sea, Russia risks causing further escalation," Merz said. According to him, Russia's actions could lead to a global food crisis, the consequences of which would be felt most acutely by the world's poorest nations and peoples.
On the same day, the Norwegian government announced the allocation of 1 billion Norwegian kroner—approximately $107.6 million—for investments in Ukraine. These funds are intended to attract additional private capital from Norwegian businesses into the Ukrainian defense industry. Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Cecilie Myrseth, stated that Norwegian investments could help the Ukrainian defense sector develop more rapidly. The program will be managed by the state-owned investment company Investinor.
Photo: REUTERS/Sergiy Chalyi
Author: Danylo Pievchev