The next is a transcript of an interview with retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the previous commanding basic of the U.S. Military in Europe, that aired Sunday, April 17, 2022, on "Face the Nation."
MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to Lieutenant Common Ben Hodges, the previous commanding basic of the US Military in Europe, and he joins us from Frankfurt, Germany. Good morning to you.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL (RETIRED) BEN HODGES: Good morning, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You simply heard the international minister describe what was occurring, significantly within the southeast port metropolis of Mariupol. Many anticipate President Putin will intensify this assault main as much as Could ninth, which is a key vacation. What do you anticipate to see?
LT. GEN. (RET.) HODGES: Nicely, initially, after all, I agree with all that I simply heard Minister Kuleba say and what's been occurring in Mariupol, the unimaginable braveness and resilience of the civilians there, in addition to the troopers who've been preventing. However I do suppose that the strain on the final workers to ship Mariupol lastly forward of 9 Could is immense. 9 Could, after all, is the annual celebration in Russia of the tip of World Conflict Two or what they name the Nice Patriotic Conflict. It is an enormous parade in Crimson Sq. yearly. So clearly they should have one thing to parade to point out as a victory on 9 Could. So I believe this date does- does have significance there.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm hmm. Nicely, you've got described a brand new offensive as an entire new battle now. What do you imply by that?
LT. GEN. (RET.) HODGES: Nicely, what we noticed within the final seven weeks, after all, was- was a- a mishandled effort by Russia. They completely overestimated their capability. They weren't ready for the combat they entered. Ukrainians defeated them at each flip. So, after all, Russia now has withdrawn from most locations they usually're specializing in the Donbas area. And apparently, the final workers has determined to not mobilize all of their reservists, which tells me that there is not going to be a section three, that what we'll do now for the subsequent few weeks is section two. And they'll give attention to making an attempt to achieve management of all of Donbas. And I believe that is going to be it for the remainder of the yr, as a result of they don't- they do not have the aptitude, I do not imagine, particularly if they do not mobilize reserves to proceed the combat after this.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Does that imply the combat may very well be wrapped by the ninth of Could?
LT. GEN. (RET.) HODGES: No. It signifies that they won't have the flexibility to conduct any additional offensive operations--
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay.
LT. GEN. (RET.) HODGES: --after this. And for positive, the preventing goes to proceed. They are going to proceed so long as they've missiles murdering harmless Ukrainian civilians
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm hmm.
LT. GEN. (RET.) HODGES: --in the strain on Ukraine. However my sense is that they've decided due to the pounding that they've taken and the dearth of assets. I imply, frankly, they cannot even construct new tanks as a result of the sanctions are limiting the varieties of components that they've to herald for new- new gear that they are surely culminating of their capability to launch additional offensive operations, significantly in direction of Odesa, for instance, or Kyiv. I do not see it- them having the potential for that this yr.
MARGARET BRENNAN: President Biden approved new weapons transfers. We all know now that a few of them have been arriving simply over this previous weekend. On this new package deal, artillery, 18 medium vary howitzers, 40,000 artillery rounds. There's other forms of munitions, armored personnel carriers. How lengthy does this sort of weaponry final? How vital is it to the combat?
LT. GEN. (RET.) HODGES: Hmm. The Howitzers are significantly necessary and- and particularly the 40,000 rounds of ammunition which are coming with these howitzers. That is the equal to a U.S. artillery battalion, 18 Howitzers. That is- that is substantial, a top quality weapon system. However I've to say, we- it is nonetheless not sufficient. What the Ukrainians want desperately are lengthy vary fires, rockets, artillery, drones that can- they'll disrupt or destroy the methods which are inflicting a lot harm in Ukrainian cities and which may also play a essential function on this subsequent section if and when it begins. The tons of of switchblade drones, for instance. These are excellent, however we want a few thousand extra. When you assume one drone per tank, per artillery system, per infantry preventing car, you may see why the numbers that- that is about us being the arsenal of democracy. That is about us supporting democracy versus autocracy. And I would love to listen to the administration speak about profitable and having a way of urgency on getting these items there. In any other case, this window of alternative we have now the subsequent couple of weeks to actually disrupt Russia's try and construct up goes to move.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, we hear from the administration that the goal of all that is to strengthen- strengthen Ukraine's hand on the negotiating desk. However we have heard from the Ukrainians there is no desk to sit down at proper now.
LT. GEN. (RET.) HODGES: Proper.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you saying it does not look to you just like the administration has determined they need Ukraine to win? They simply need a stalemate?
LT. GEN. (RET.) HODGES: I might say that I do not hear the administration speaking about profitable. I am reluctant to say that the administration does not need them to win. However what- what must be said is what's our goal, the US? You realize, we're not simply observers cheering for Ukraine right here. That is about democracy throughout Europe and stopping an autocracy. And so and naturally, the Chinese language are watching. So there are implications effectively past Mariupol or even- even Kyiv. And so if the US had been to say we- we need to win, meaning all Russian forces again to pre 24 February. All Ukrainians who've been deported introduced again residence instantly, a long run dedication to the total restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty. Meaning Crimea and Donbas after which lastly breaking the again of Russia's capability to undertaking energy exterior of Russia to--
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm hmm.
LT. GEN. (RET.) HODGES: --threaten Georgia, to threaten Moldova, to threaten our Baltic allies.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Ben Hodges, thanks to your evaluation this morning. Completely happy Easter.
LT. GEN. (RET.) HODGES: Thanks, Margaret. Completely happy Easter.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Face the Nation will likely be again in a minute. Stick with us.