Opinion

The two most important American weapons systems NATO is eager to have

Moves send a clear message to Putin as Ukraine battles a surge in Russian ballistic missile attacks

By Rebecca Grant Fox News

Published July 11, 2026 8:00am EDT

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Trump scores major NATO victory as allies boost defense spending, NATO ambassador says

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker joins 'Varney & Co.' to discuss President Donald Trump's NATO summit victories, increased allied defense spending, Iran tensions and efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

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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 SHIFT

Patriot........

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