Two American weapons systems sit atop NATO’s most wanted list: F-35 fighters, and the Patriot missile interceptors.The buzz at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, began on Tuesday, when President Donald Trump caused a stir on Tuesday by indicating he may clear the way for Turkey to purchase F-35s – after that nation was kicked out of the program in 2019.
Then on Wednesday, Trump stunned the world by telling Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy he might grant a license for Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors."We’re going to give a license to you to make Patriots," Trump said."That's pretty cool.
Right? This way you can't complain that we're not giving them enough.I'd say make them yourself," Trump said on July 8.Here's why Trump’s discussion of F-35s and Patriots signal his commitment to NATO – and deliver a smack down to Putin.TRUMP SAYS US WILL LET UKRAINE MAKE PATRIOT MISSILES IN MAJOR POLICY SHIFTTrump’s public statements about Ukraine building Patriot missiles is like saying "read my lips." Trump is telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that the U.S., with NATO, will continue to support Ukraine’s vital air and missile defenses.
That’s a win for Zelenskyy.Barrages against Ukraine now include dozens of ballistic missiles, swathed in 300 or more drones.
Ukraine is nailing the Russian drones, but on Monday, failed to hit a single ballistic missile.A U.S.airman watches an Air Force F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft approach for the first time on July 14, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
(Samuel King Jr./U.S.Air Force)"Russia is placing its bets on ballistic weapons, and those who want peace must place their bets on protection against ballistic attacks," Zelenskyy said July 6.UKRAINE’S BATTLEFIELD IS TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF NATOHowever, despite the powerful symbolism, don’t look for a "Made in Ukraine" stamp on the Patriot batteries anytime soon.
Boosting Patriot production is a top U.S.priori...