Retired U.S. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges expressed concerns that Germany may be withholding support for Ukraine out of fear that former President Donald Trump could win reelection. During an interview at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece, Hodges emphasized the need for Western powers to do more to defend Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. He criticized leaders like German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for refusing to provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, suggesting that Scholz’s reluctance may be based on the belief that Trump would withdraw support for Europe and NATO if he were to return to office.
Hodges attributed Scholz’s hesitation to provide military assistance to Ukraine to concerns about Trump potentially withdrawing the nuclear shield from Europe and abandoning NATO. Despite Scholz’s decision to provide Ukraine with a Patriot air defense system, Hodges argued that Germany’s refusal to supply Taurus missiles could leave the country without a nuclear deterrent in the event of a conflict with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while appreciative of the German support, has criticized Scholz’s choice to withhold the more powerful Taurus missiles, citing the need for a strong deterrent in the face of Russian aggression.
Hodges also expressed skepticism about President Joe Biden’s administration’s perceived fear of Russian President Vladimir Putin growing amid the conflict in Ukraine. He argued that the administration’s concerns about the potential collapse of the Putin regime or the use of nuclear weapons by Russia were unfounded and that Ukraine’s liberation of Crimea could lead to positive changes in the region. The former general believed that Russia did not possess the capability to defeat Ukraine in the war and expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ability to stabilize the front lines and rebuild its defenses.
Ukraine’s ground commander, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk, emphasized the country’s priority to stabilize the contact line with Russia and strengthen its own forces to prepare for potential counteroffensives. Hodges supported Ukraine’s efforts to rebuild its defenses and maintain stability in the conflict-ridden region. He also called for Western powers to take a more proactive approach to supporting Ukraine and deterring Russian aggression, suggesting that a unified and strengthened NATO response would be essential in defending Ukraine against further Russian incursions. Hodges highlighted the importance of planning for positive outcomes, such as the collapse of the Putin regime, rather than succumbing to unfounded fears and concerns.
