Recently, Trump has threatened to halt weapons supplies to Ukraine through NATO's PURL program (the "Ukraine Priority Requirements List" aid mechanism) in order to pressure European allies into joining the "voluntary coalition" aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. After France, Germany, and the UK initially declined due to ongoing conflicts and difficulties with military intervention, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urgently mediated and pushed the three countries to hastily issue a joint statement on March 19, expressing their willingness to make "appropriate efforts" to ensure safe passage through the strait. Subsequently, more countries joined. Multiple officials stated that Stoltenberg had frequent calls with Trump and Rubio at the time, and conveyed to major European nations that the U.S. was "extremely frustrated" by allies' refusal to assist in protecting the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, escalating U.S.-Israel actions against Iran have intensified global competition for Patriot air defense interceptors—critical munitions not only for Gulf states defending against Iranian attacks but also vital equipment for Ukraine to intercept Russian missiles. Although Rubio claimed that U.S.-made weapons currently supplied to Ukraine via the PURL mechanism have not yet been redirected to the Middle East, he clearly stated that if needed domestically, the U.S. would prioritize retaining its own military assets.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861331578843145/
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