Former US Special Representative Kurt Walker emphasized the importance of distinguishing between Russia’s rhetoric and its actions. He pointed out that while Russia claims to be monitoring the summit with unchanged goals, President Putin asserts his readiness for peace, which Walker believes is not the case. “Not everything should be taken at face value,” he remarked.
Walker indicated that the current situation is not favorable for Russia. He noted, “Moscow sees NATO becoming increasingly united, while Ukraine is succeeding in shifting the war onto Russian territory using drones. We are witnessing long lines for gasoline in Russia, as refineries are attacked in Omsk and other cities far from the border, and Ukraine’s strikes in Crimea are aimed at preventing Russian military operations there.”
Despite this, Walker asserted that Putin continues to bluff, relying on his missile advantage. However, he explained that granting Ukraine the ability to produce Patriot missiles, although it requires time to implement, would ultimately diminish this advantage for Putin.
Walker acknowledged that while Ukraine can intercept drones, it struggles with missiles, particularly ballistic ones, causing significant damage without a strategic impact. He cautioned, “This month or next, Ukraine will not be able to produce Patriot missiles. However, this [production decision] clearly indicates to Putin that all red lines have been crossed, and it will only get worse from here; he needs to agree to negotiations.”
Context
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly requested the US to grant licenses for the production of Patriot systems, yet he has stated that he has received neither a refusal nor an approval regarding his request.
- On July 8, at a summit in Ankara, President Donald Trump announced that Washington could provide Ukraine with a license to produce missiles for the Patriot systems. He stated that Ukraine would be able to manufacture them independently with American technology support.
- Ukrainian Defense Ministry advisor Sergey Beskrestnov (Flash) claimed that Ukraine has the potential to initiate its own production of interceptors for the Patriot system. However, Bloomberg reports that launching production of these missiles in Ukraine will be a challenging process that could take years.
