Matthew Saville

Matthew Savill, Director of Military Sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, offers keen insights into the escalating tensions in the Middle East and their implications for Russia and NATO. He analyzes how increased oil prices might benefit Russia as it navigates the geopolitical landscape. The conversation also covers Ukraine's efforts to disrupt Russia's drone supply and the effectiveness of its countermeasures against fibre optic drones, shedding light on critical military strategies in these ongoing conflicts.

In this discussion, Matthew Savill, Director of Military Sciences at RUSI, and Max Warner, Senior Research Economist at IFS, dive into the implications of the UK's surge in defence spending. They examine historical trends, detailing the shift towards investment and the pressures of modernization. The guests debate whether this increased funding is a response to military needs or merely accounting adjustments. They also tackle how such spending might affect economic growth and the potential fiscal ramifications of committing to 3.5% of GDP for defence.

Orysia Lutsevych runs the Ukraine forum at Chatham House, focusing on Ukraine's political landscape, while Matthew Savill is the Director of Military Sciences at RUSI, bringing military strategy expertise. They discuss Ukraine's tough choices regarding potential peace deals and territorial losses amid ongoing aggression from Russia. The conversation covers battlefield dynamics, Ukraine's resilience, and the implications of shifting international alliances, emphasizing the critical balance between sovereignty and survival in turbulent times.

Myroslava Petsa, a BBC Ukrainian reporter, shares her emotional experience after President Trump engaged with her during a NATO summit about the war in Ukraine. Juggling her journalistic duties while her husband fights on the frontlines adds depth to her insights. Matthew Savill from the Royal United Services Institute discusses Russia's escalating drone attacks and Ukraine's urgent need for advanced defense systems like Patriot missiles, emphasizing the stakes in the ongoing conflict and the challenges of maintaining military support.

In this insightful discussion, Matthew Savill, Director of Military Sciences at RUSI, sheds light on the feasibility of deploying European troops to Ukraine. He explores the mixed reactions from European leaders about military intervention and the urgency for a cohesive strategy to confront Russian aggression. The conversation also delves into the psychological impacts of uncertainty on NATO alliances and the strategic implications of upcoming diplomatic meetings between U.S. and Russian officials. Savill offers a nuanced perspective on military support and diplomatic challenges faced by Ukraine.