The operation of the Ukrainian military in the Kursk region demonstrated that Putin’s red lines do not exist.
This was stated by the former commander of the US Army in Europe, Ben Hodges, in an interview with DW.
Ben Hodges on the operation of the Armed Forces in the Kursk region and Putin’s red lines
Godges noted that Ukraine has the right to protection, which includes the elimination of places from which the Russian Federation attacks Ukrainian cities and villages and kills innocent Ukrainians.
In particular, he expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the US is currently not trying to slow down what Ukraine is doing.
– So, does this correspond to Western politics in a broad sense? Yes, because Ukraine is defending itself, – Hodges said.
At the same time, commenting on the issue of German tanks on the territory of the Russian Federation, he noted that the Bundestag and the Federal Government need to take a breath, calm down and admit the obvious – Ukraine is defending itself against Russian attacks by destroying locations from where, for example, a third of the Shaheds were launched across Ukrainian cities.
According to him, this is a classic working military doctrine – to choose a good moment, increase the pressure in a new place and thereby facilitate the position of the troops on your side along the entire length of the front.
The operation of the Armed Forces in the Kursk region will force the Russian Federation to reassess its actions
He noted that Ukraine is not interested in seizing Russian territories. But this (operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region, – Ed.) will force the Russians to reevaluate what they are doing.
He also refutes the Kremlin’s fear of escalation , in particular nuclear.
– I believe that Ukrainians need freedom of action. My criticism of the Biden administration was that it pursued policies that hindered Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. So I’m glad that now Kyiv was not pulled. This also applies to the risks of escalation, the idea that Putin will allegedly use nuclear weapons. The worst thing Putin has done so far is to fire at another Ukrainian supermarket. So we restrained ourselves for too long, – said General Hodges.
When asked if there were any red lines left, he replied: “I really hope not.”
Source: DW