Former commander of US Army Forces in Europe, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, believes that Russian oil refineries are legitimate targets for strikes by Ukraine.
Ben Hodges made this statement in an interview with the BBC.
Commenting on media reports that the US government allegedly asked Ukraine to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries, the general expressed hope that this was untrue. However, he noted that unfortunately, it could be believed.
"If someone from our government conveyed this to the Ukrainians, it is absolutely terrible advice. Ukraine should ignore it. Oil refineries are legitimate targets," Hodges said.
According to him, the situation is worsened by the fact that this comes after Russia's devastating strikes on Ukrainian civilian objects.
In his opinion, this indicates that the US administration has not yet clearly defined its strategic goals.
"Why aren't we saying that we want Ukraine to win, not focusing on that? We desperately need strategic clarity and priorities," emphasized the former commander of US Army Forces in Europe.
In his opinion, Germany, Great Britain, France - these are all sovereign states. And they are capable of more. If the economies of the entire EU are combined, it will overshadow what Russia has. The population, economic potential, and much better combined armed forces. Even if the United States does not do what they should do in its own interests, because it is in United States interests for Ukraine to win.
" If we don't do this, the threat to Europe will be even worse. Therefore, Europeans will have to get to work, take seriously the task of helping Ukraine defeat Russia. If Russia wins, Germany will be the biggest loser. This will destroy trust in Germany, make it a hostage to the Russian nuclear threat. And Germany will again have millions of refugees. It is in Germany's interest for Ukraine to defeat Russia. So we all must do everything possible to make this happen. This is not charity for Ukraine, it is in our interests," Hodges said.
