Defending Freedom: Former US Army Chief backs Ukraine’s right to hit back at Russia | DW News

Ben Hodges, a former US Army Commander in Europe, told DW that the Ukrainian attack on Russian soil is in line with Western policy. In an in-depth interview with Ines Pohl, DW’s Washington Bureau Chief, he said: “Ukraine has the right to defend itself, which includes eliminating areas, sanctuaries from which Russia is attacking Ukrainian towns and villages and killing innocent Ukrainian citizens. (…) Ukraine has no interest in conquering Russian territory, but this will help force the Russians to recalculate what they’re doing.”

Asked about possible German tanks on Russian soil, he said: “I mean, I understand the point or the perceived dilemma, and this is the kind of thing that the Russians and the Kremlin will use. They will point to this. So this is the time for the German government, for the Bundestag, to be calm and cool and recognize that this is Ukraine defending itself against Russia’s attack.”

Asked about the support for Ukraine from a possible Harris White House, he said: “Kamala’s vice presidential pick, Governor Walsh, is a Ukraine hawk. So my sense is that it will at least remain steady, if not get better. And, of course, it always depends on Congress and the makeup of Congress as well.”

Talking about the election outcome, he said: “So, yeah, I think that’s probably the best thing I could say is a lot is going to happen between now and November the fifth. And I always believe that positive leadership versus division ultimately always wins.”

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25 comments

  1. I really hate cinematography like this. I don't need to see that you are talking to someone remotely on a laptop, it's distracting.

  4. pretty sure that trump has started getting security briefs as he is running for president. If this is true, I completely understand Ukraine keeping OPSEC from him so he doesn't tell his friends.

  7. Жалко ,что львиная доля вашей помощи разворовывается…😢пока ви не будете сами контролировать каждую марку, долар , евро, наши чиновники будут иметь возможность воровать….

  8. Like there isn't a direct correlation between sending US manufacturing
    out of the US and the opioid epidemic. I'm all for Ukraine but let's be honest here

  12. Ben, Thank you for your continued advocacy for Ukrainian independence. ~With regard to the domestic political topic you were led into at the end of the interview; It's no surprise that the American people are becoming more isolationist after 20+ years of war where corporations and the defense industry is enriched, while some of America's best people are used as fuel for the machine that is our defense industrial complex. The American empire's recent past, is the living definition of Smedley Butler's "War is a Racket". All this considered, there are Trump supporters who are pro Ukrainian independence like myself…and hopefully support grows stronger within Trump's base, in the future. ~ Harris/Biden has certainly not shown itself as an educated actor with regard to the UKR independence process. On the flip side; If I recall in the early 90's, Republican administrations had good repoire with Eastern Europe. Who can blame Trump'ls populist supporters, for not wanting to be involved in Eastern Europe; After they have been apprised of how the State Department (under Democratic leadership) orchestrated that funny pseudo coup move, and repeatedly disrespected the Russian Federation, leading to a massive decrease in diplomacy right when it was needed. This was not an enticing situation for many americans and was propogandized and confused people. Aid from Biden is great, but internally Obama/Biden treated Ukraine as a puppet (For a while Blinken gave me hope). In contrast, Trump has had success in speaking with world leaders, and this gives me hope in the middle east and Asia Pacific. I support your work educating people on the importance of the Ukrainian struggle! ~ Trumps supporters are not as uneducated or crass as made out to be by the media at large. ~ Thank You DW, Thank you Ben. Go Ukraine!

  13. Вы понимаете куда вы отправляете деньги!? Каму!?? Приедте посмотрите как живут наши чиновники ,депутати…они все вовремя войны озолотилесь…вас обманывают о истином состояниив Украине..вы же не контролируете практически свою финансовую помощь!!!😮😮😮

  18. Thank you for sharing.. Hope that this is leading to make peace in near future. ✌🙏 🌼🌼🌼🌼
    We need Peace in Europe and other continental too.. Cause everyone is deserved for living in good harmony on EARTH. Best Wishes from Sweden 🍀🍀🍀🍀🌷🌷🌷 🌲🌲🌲🌲

  19. The general's support for Harris calls into question his opinions about other issues. And, he just lied about the Agenda 2025. Republicans are always more in support of veterans and the military than Democrats. He is right about the America First movement but only that.

  20. Where has this General been when Russia was taking village after valliage in the Donbas? I like the carefully cracted narrative…when Ukraine is under pressure dont talk about it in the news dont even consult the views of arm chair Generals…When Ukraine is back in the news ..oooh General Ben how r u …Ukraine is winning tell us what is happening and when should we expect Russia to explode..

  22. Russia's biggest advantage inside Ukraine, has been that they can use a lot of unprecise powerful weapons, like powerful gliding bombs, to destroy everything and shoot at everything that moves..

    These kind of weapons or strategy will not be possible for Russia to use on their own territory against their own infrastructure or people.

    So the big question is, do Russia has any precis smart weaponry left to defeat Ukraine forces with inside russia?

  23. Congratulations, putin continues to bring his War back home to Russian Land. putin's subjects can now see what the people of the Ukraine are having to endure every day due to putin their "Unhinged Warmongering leader". What goes around comes around, it's called "Karma" Let's hope the Russian people wake up before it's too late and remove this Murderer, who is destroying a country including his own… Glory to Ukraine

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