Hodges: The West has a chance to make up for insufficient support for Ukraine.

Retired US General acknowledges mistake on Crimea's return to Ukraine

Former US commander in Europe Ben Hodges stated that his prediction about Crimea's return to Ukraine by summer 2023 was incorrect.

At the Munich Security Conference, Hodges commented to Ukrinform, stating: 'Yes, I was mistaken. The West, we failed to deliver to Ukraine what we should have. That’s the essence. If we had delivered everything we promised on Time, or what was needed, as well as used all our economic tools, we would be in a different situation today.'

Thus, Hodges acknowledged his mistake.

Hodges noted that after 11 years of war, Russia still controls only a small part of Ukrainian territory, and this cannot be called a victory.

He added that Russians are currently suffering and are in a difficult situation.

Hodges assured that he was not blunt when asked about sufficient assistance for the liberation of Crimea by the end of winter 2023, responding: 'Absolutely not!'

Hodges cited the example of the American Revolution, which lasted 6-7 years and was not successful from the revolutionaries' side until the last battle, even though they were in a numerical minority.

He said: 'It was certainly terrible, it was devastation, it was very hard, but they never stopped. And so I think I am more optimistic than you.'

When asked about the decisive battle in Ukraine, Hodges mentioned the Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu, who argued that the true art of war lies in defeating an opponent without directly engaging in battle.

Hodges emphasized that the US aims for success for Ukraine and the restoration of its sovereignty within the borders of 1991.