Putin's facing ammunition & economic crisis at home | The Story

The decision by the US to allow Ukraine to launch western long-range missiles into Russia has provoked a furious reaction from Moscow, and pushed tensions with Ukraine’s western backers even higher. In response, the Kremlin has updated its military doctrine to lower the threshold for using nuclear weapons, provoking fears of a new Cold War, or even a nuclear confrontation. How worried should we be? Manveen Rana asks Lt Gen Ben Hodges (US Army, Ret’d), Former Commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe on The Story.

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[Truth-gh]

If the US told Putin just before the invasion that they guaranteed Ukraines security, there would have been no war. America did guarantee Ukraines security in exchange for Ukraines nukes. Talk about a useless guarantee that turned out to be.

[renko]

Especially considering Ukraine agreed to give up nuclear weapons in exchange for a promise from Russia to not attack them ever. There is no good reason now for a country to not build its own nuclear weapons, because no power can be trusted.

[dangrunau]

If only a majority of one of our two major political parties weren’t openly supporting Russia

[stevenklinkhamer]

"Instead of this Nambie- pambie we're in this with you as long as it takes. Which means nothing." Well said. Completely agree.
We seem to have forgotten how to win wars in the west lately, as pointed out here by being committed to winning them in a decisive way, by achieving the strategic objectives necessary to do so. Prolonged wars are very expensive in blood and treasure, and usually end in an undecisive manner.

[Rob-yp]

Ukraine was making 110% effort from February 2022. Every ‘supporting’ Ukraine made hardly any effort at all to start off with. Hopefully, Ukraine will come out of this stronger as they have had no choice but to massively increase their domestic arms production.

[genespell]

Ukraine has been fighting with one arm tied behind its back. The general is 100 percent right.

[angie]

Lt. Gen. Hodges, his wisdom and expertise, are necessary for military success. A real man of integrity

[anitagreen]

Really good information Lt. Gen. Hodges.

[jockogle]

Simple solution. Return the strategic deterrence they gave up in the eighties.

[clarechomyn]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Had the West really supplied Ukraine in 2022, the war would have ended last year. Our Western leaders are weak, and putin has never been stopped, not in Moldova, Georgia, or Ukraine in 2014.

[clarechomyn]

General Hodges, I admire you so much. I truly wish the leaders of the free world would have listened to you two years ago. Perhaps they will listen to what you have said to prepare for the future.

[ros]

Glad that Ben Hodges has time and energy to share his clear views to everyone. 🎖️ 🎖️ 🎖️

[janelleespinosa]

Republicans were saying Biden wanted boots on the ground, also who knew Musk wasn't allowing communication for Ukraine

[jackcat]

In the battle of Singapore, Japan lost 1700 soldiers and took almost 100, 000 British POWs.

[timtambornino]

Our battle plan includes air superiority, which we never gave to Ukraine. They demonstrated Naval superiority without a Navy.

[NancyHuston-dy]

So friggen true thank you for saying it…..if USA and others on day one said no …thousands of lives would have been saved on both sides ….so utterly cruel so sad for the Ukrainian army and civilians!❤️🇨🇦

[AngelleSL]

It’s very difficult to end a war for the majority of people when you have stock in Halliburton and their subsidiaries.

[PaulKoelman]

Agree, but better soon from now on. Doesn’t matter how much it costs. Let’s HELP Ukrain instead of hesitate all the time.

[joemancini]

Ben Hodges is right. I hope it’s not too late.

[chicagreg]

You are absolutely correct in what WAS (and, more importantly, WASN'T), but the fine people of Ukraine stood their ground, despite the slow walking dribble of arms and support, and in the bold face of an endless barrage of hateful propaganda that was almost WELCOMED by some unscrupulous priorities of malfeasance for pure political reasons in an extraordinarily divisive election year in the US.