NATO Agrees to $50 Billion in Defense Deals to Placate Trump

Summary

Melinda Haring of the Atlantic Council discusses NATO's agreement to $50 billion in defense deals and the state of the Ukraine war. She argues Ukraine's strategy of long-range strikes to compel Putin to negotiate is working, with Russian manpower and economic troubles mounting. Haring also highlights Ukraine's transformation into a high-tech militarized state and the potential for the US to rapidly expand Patriot missile production.

• NATO allies agreed to at least $50 billion in defense industry deals.
• Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian refineries are pressuring Putin to negotiate.
• Russia is losing 35,000 troops per month and cannot easily replenish them.
• The kill ratio has shifted to one Ukrainian killed for every five Russians.
• PAC-3 missile production in Arkansas is not on a 24-hour schedule and could be expanded by Trump.
• Ukraine, Israel, and Rwanda are becoming militarized high-tech innovators.
• Putin shows increasing paranoia and faces elite splits.