In this exclusive interview with Independence Avenue Media, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta discusses the Russia-Ukraine war, President Trump’s recent shift in strategy, and the broader implications for global security. Panetta, who led both the Pentagon and the CIA during his decades-long public service career, says that President Trump “now understands that he cannot trust Putin”. He emphasizes that “Putin only understands action, not words,” and urges the U.S. to continue delivering weapons like Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, increase sanctions, and prepare for long-term deterrence against Russian and Chinese aggression.
