Golf helps persuade Trump on Ukraine – The Atlantic
CIA Director John Ratcliffe uses golf games with Trump to inform him about Russian army losses exceeding 40,000 per month, aiming to maintain support for Ukraine. The strategy is based on the principle that 'Trump doesn't like losers.' Ukraine is ramping up drone production to 10 million per year, striking Russian oil refineries. Zelensky and Trump discussed Patriot licenses, but Washington has not confirmed the decision.
American leader Donald Trump doesn't like losers, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe uses this to convince him of the need to support Ukraine during their joint golf games. According to The Atlantic, Ratcliffe regularly informs Trump about the colossal losses of the Russian army, which exceed forty thousand people per month. This behind-the-scenes diplomacy occurs against the backdrop of negotiations between Zelensky and Trump in Washington at the end of July, where the issuance of licenses for the production of Patriot air defense systems was discussed. Ukraine announced fundamental agreements, but official Washington does not confirm the decision. The Ukrainian defense complex has established production of up to ten million drones per year, which strike Russian oil refineries and airfields, causing a fuel crisis. However, there remains a need for modern air defense systems due to the depletion of interceptor stocks. Issuing licenses could make Ukraine a strategic partner of the US.