Ben Hodges outlines key scenarios for ending war in Ukraine
“I think there's probably three or four scenarios, or some variations of them,” the general said in an interview with Ukrinform.
He noted: “The best-case scenario is that the West really gets energized. The United States gets energized, and we realize and act as if Ukraine defeating Russia is in our best interest. Not because of charity for Ukraine, but it’s in our best interest that would help our economy, that would restore the flow of food and energy, which affects prices in the West.”
According to Hodges, such a scenario would also send a strong deterrent message to China, showing that the West has the will and ability to act. “And then, with Ukraine being in a very strong position, Russia is living inside its borders,” he added.
The worst-case scenario, which Hodges considers unlikely, involves a loss of political will and fatigue in Ukraine, Europe, the U.S., and Canada. In such a case, Russia would not only absorb thousands of Ukrainian troops that will be forced into the Russian army, but could soon begin preparing for an invasion of Moldova or even a NATO country like Latvia.
However, the most probable scenario, in Hodges’s view, is one in the middle: a year from now, the situation may remain much as it is now, unless something significant changes externally.
“It’s hard to imagine it being really different anywhere else, but I hope it is. You know, maybe Russia's economy totally collapses, something happens to Putin,” the retired general said.
Still, he emphasized that plans should not be based on wishful thinking. “I kind of envision that Ukraine is going to adopt an Israeli-style approach, that until they are in NATO, they have to make themselves absolutely indigestible to Russia, and that they're in a constant state of war. That doesn't mean there's fighting every day, but they are constantly vigilant and dealing with incoming Russian drones and rockets the way the Israelis have to do with Hezbollah.”
Hodges also expressed hope that Ukraine will continue to develop its defense industry as Israel has, and that it will form regional alliances to help protect its flanks, for example, in the Black Sea.
“And then finally, I imagine that GUR (Defense Intelligence of Ukraine - ed.) is going to be like the Mossad. And every senior Russian officer who has ever had anything to do with killing or attacking innocent Ukrainians or any other war crimes, for the rest of their life, is going to be checking under his car and looking over his shoulder, knowing that GUR is out there waiting for them,” Hodges stressed.
As reported by Ukrinform, earlier this week U.S. President Donald Trump announced that an agreement had been reached with NATO on military assistance to Ukraine worth billions of dollars.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
