Retired US General Outlines Three Critical Steps for Ukrainian Victory.

Key Conditions for Ending the War in Ukraine

According to TSN.ua: Retired US Army Lieutenant General Ben Hodges has identified three essential requirements for Ukraine to prevail in the war. He emphasized that Russia finances its military campaign through oil and gas exports, making the destruction of this capacity a critical objective. His analysis stresses the need for genuine European support and a fundamental shift in Ukraine's defense posture.

• First Condition: Crippling Russia's oil and gas infrastructure. Hodges argues that victory will be difficult to achieve without severing this primary source of Russian war funding.
• Second Condition: Substantive, not merely symbolic, support from Europe. This entails concrete actions that tangibly strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, moving beyond political statements and public gestures.
• Third Condition: Transforming Ukraine into a nation capable of total defense. Hodges noted that Ukraine should adopt a hybrid model, incorporating lessons from Israel and Finland, to prepare for any future challenges stemming from Russian aggression.

He also underscored the importance of Ukraine's European integration, highlighting the necessity for close cooperation with European partners.

Urgency for Action

Recent battlefield developments underscore the urgency of Hodges's recommendations. In January 2026 alone, Russian forces occupied an additional 245 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, with 33% of all enemy assaults concentrated on the Pokrovsk front. These stark figures highlight the pressing need for decisive measures that could alter the war's trajectory in Ukraine's favor.

Ben Hodges's remarks serve as a crucial reminder of the pivotal factors that could shape the future course of the conflict in Ukraine. - Ben Hodges

Neutralizing Russia's energy export infrastructure and securing tangible European backing could prove decisive for regional stability. Simultaneously, Ukraine's evolution into a nation organized for total defense would enhance its resilience against external threats, thereby influencing the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.