Ukraine will win anyway: Ben Hodges on the delay of US aid and prospects at the front
Ben Hodges, the former commander of the US Army in Europe, is convinced that Russia has become much weaker than it seems at first glance, and that Ukraine will win a full-scale war despite the delay in US aid.
What signals does the US send to the world that will help to stay ahead of Russia, what are the prospects for the production of weapons and drones for Ukraine – Ben Hodges answered these questions in an interview with Fakty ICTV journalist Olha Chaiko.
Help from the United States
– Last year, you predicted that with the help of American weapons, Ukraine would be able to recapture Crimea in 2023. These predictions did not come true. Have you changed them? What might happen on the battlefield this year?
– I was wrong in my belief. The United States and Germany will join the Ukrainian victory. I knew we would support Ukraine. But I was waiting for my president to speak: We want Ukraine to win. And I expected the German Chancellor to say the same. But they didn’t. I was wrong to make those assumptions.
And Congress is not doing its job right now. The president has to make it clear what the priority is, but he hasn’t done that. This is a problem within the United States. And although most Americans support Ukraine, although most Republicans in Congress support Ukraine, we are taking a rather strange position that is not helpful to Ukraine.
Russia is much weaker
– Ukraine is going to win this war anyway. I don’t think I’m going to change my position. I think Russia is actually much weaker than we see on the surface. Without all the advantages they have from 10 years of war. They control only 18% of the Ukrainian territory. The Russian Black Sea Fleet has problems, Russian planes do not enter Ukrainian airspace, half a million Russian soldiers are killed or wounded.
So this year, I think General Syrskyi has to stabilize the front. Russia cannot knock out Ukraine. And Ukraine cannot knock out Russia either. It’s like two great wrestlers. And both are tired. But one says to the other: You are more tired than I am. And the fight continues.
Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
– And who is more tired?
– I think Russia is more tired. We have to realize this. This is a year of industrial competition. Ukraine has to set up a personnel system, recruit new people, provide ammunition and weapons from the West. And if we are ahead of Russia, I think we will be in a different place next year.
Production of weapons for Ukraine
– What can be done with the Western aid that Ukraine will not receive? And what was in that aid?
– It’s an absolutely terrible signal from the US, because it shouldn’t even be a question. This is a terrible signal from us. It encourages the Russians to continue doing what they are doing. But look, before February 24, 2022, so many people told me: Don’t worry, Russia will not attack Ukraine, Russia has an economy just like Italy. This is true.
And if you compare the economies of Germany, Poland, France, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, and Britain, Russia’s will look dwarfed. We should not think that the West has no opportunities. We don’t have the political will. At least, I don’t see it now.
– How many months can Ukraine hold out?
– I think even if the US does nothing for the next 2-3 months, Europe produces a lot of weapons. But there will be more even by the end of this year. This famous one million shells will be produced. We obviously started too late. But it is what it is.
– What about Ukrainian drones? What is their potential?
– Ukrainian drones have changed the nature of warfare. When you have a drone that can destroy a tank, an artillery system, or a headquarters, it’s better than shells. Because you need 1 instead of 50. Although, of course, drones are not perfect.
