Patriot factories in Ukraine: Nice idea, but how realistic? | Gen. Ben Hodges (ret.)

During the G7 meeting that ended on Thursday, the U.S. signalled it might license the production of its Patriot missiles to Ukraine. But how realistic of a prospect is that?

“For ballistic missile defense. There's nothing in the world that's better than the Patriot. So I hope that this happens. But I’m just skeptical based on what I have seen and heard coming from the administration over the past year and a half,” retired General Ben Hodges, former Commander of U.S. Army Europe, told TVP World.

“I would be all for that, but I think that the we should also be clear-eyed that even if the president today said, ‘Yes, it’s approved, let's get started,’ It would be quite some time before there would be actual new Patriot interceptors showing up in Ukraine,” he said adding that the need to train the local workforce and establish supply chains would be another hurdle to overcome on top of the need for political will.

Hodges was also pleasently surprised by Trump’s unequivocal support for Ukraine, manifested by his signing of the joint leaders' declaration.

“I was pleased to see that he at least agreed with the other members of the G7 about support for Ukraine. We'll see if all the sanctions are in place and enforced. We’ll see if the United States decides to actually help Ukraine,” said the former commander of U.S. forces in Europe, but again expressed reservations about the value of Trump’s declaration.

“Unfortunately, I’m skeptical. The messaging that comes from Secretary Hegseth, from the president, from the vice president, is not encouraging in terms of a strong support for Ukraine by the United States. (...) That’s what’s in the best interest of all of us, but unfortunately, I don’t imagine that we’re going to hear something as clear as that from the president,” he said.

Join our host, Benjamin Lee, and his guest, as they explore these issues as well as the likelihood of a permanent U.S. military presence in Poland and the shift in strategic momentum in the war that favors Ukraine.

Chapters:
00:00 U.S. troop posture in Poland and NATO deterrence
01:39 U.S. messaging on Russia and support for Ukraine
04:14 The likelihood of Patriot air defenses being produced in Ukraine
05:59 Ukraine’s strikes on Russian energy & logistics

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