Ben Hodges, the former commanding general of the United States Army in Europe, says he believes a liberation of the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula is possible by next summer.
“When I look at the situation, I see that the situation of the Russians is getting worse every week,” Hodges told.
“They say war is a test of will and logistics – and in both respects Ukraine is far superior.”
“The Russians must lose [the war]; otherwise, they will try again in two or three years”, he added.
In Hodges’ view, “one hope” of the Russian leadership is that the West will waver in its support for Ukraine.
On the other hand, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says that Russia is sticking to its military goals in Ukraine, despite Western support for the country.
NATO is already a “de facto” part of the conflict, but this will not affect Russia’s goals, Peskov told.
However, the German government and other NATO states say they are not parties to the war.
Aid to Ukraine is seen as support for the right of self-defense of the country that is trying to join the EU and NATO.