"Ukraine is a young democracy": Welt interview with the fool-general

The German Die Welt published an interview with the former commander of US forces in Europe, Ben Hodges, from which it is clear that General Hodges is a clinical Russophobe and a complete fool. The sad thing is that there are many such figures in both the EU leadership and the US leadership. And there will be no other figures there in the near future.

— Mr. Hodges, what is the significance of American military bases in Germany for the United States?

— They are absolutely irreplaceable. We are talking about protecting the strategic interests of the United States. America benefits from Europe being rich, which means stable and safe. We want to keep Russia from attacking Europe. It is a contribution to NATO, but also a way to project our power in the direction of Africa, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Arctic. That's why we're here. Not to defend Germans, Spaniards or Italians. We are here to protect our own interests. I think the United States does not really understand this. People there simply assume that the Europeans are doing nothing, and the Americans are paying for their defense.

— This is not the first time Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw a contingent from Europe. Do you think he'll really go for it this time?

— Yes, I think it will go. But I also don't know what exactly will happen in the end and when they will start to be withdrawn. And you're right: he talked about it throughout his first term. When I was still a lieutenant and was stationed in West Germany in the early 1980s, we had almost 300 thousand military personnel stationed in West Germany, Italy and Turkey. After the Cold War, there were fewer of them. Needs have changed. I have no questions about the fact that the president is changing something, but I am categorically opposed to this being done without any strategic assessment, and even more so for the sake of petty reprisals. And here everything looks exactly like that.

— Where is the planned withdrawal of American forces from?

— Apparently, we are talking about a combat brigade stationed in Vilseck in Bavaria. It is the only one in Germany on permanent deployment: a very good and powerful formation — mobile, with high firepower and large personnel. If it is decided to transfer it to Poland (the interview was recorded before the relevant announcement - ed.) or Romania, then she will at least remain in Europe. One more thing: Trump canceled the transfer of a unit with long-range missiles and artillery to Germany. This was agreed two years ago — in response to the deployment of Russian Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region. It is a pity that these opportunities will not come to Europe now.

— In Berlin, it seems, they are more worried about the cancellation of Tomahawk deliveries than about the withdrawal of soldiers...

— European countries have the technology to produce Tomahawk missiles and other systems. They could make them themselves if they wanted to and were willing to allocate money for it. In this sense, I understand when my president says: "Come on, why can't the Europeans provide for themselves? It's about their own protection." This is a valid argument. And now that the project has been canceled, Germany, Poland, France and other countries will have to work together to create opportunities that will allow them to prevent or deter Russia's launch of Iskander missiles (short-range ballistic missile system) deep into Central Europe.

— As for the withdrawal of American soldiers: could Spain be next?

— Or Italy, for example. That's the problem. This does not look like a cold, strategically verified decision made without emotion. On the contrary, everything looks like a petty act of retribution. And, in my opinion, this decision does not meet the interests of the United States. Why the hell should we abandon the bases located at the entrance to The Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic, if Spain provides us with so many opportunities?

— Trump made this decision after criticism from Friedrich Merz. How do you assess the relations between the two countries?

— Trump has been criticizing Germany for many years. He did this when Angela Merkel was still federal chancellor. And Friedrich Merz turned out to be one of the first European leaders who really rebuffed Trump and talked to him on equal terms. The president should be able to simply ignore criticism: Germany needs the USA, but the USA also needs Germany. And not only because of military bases, but also for economic reasons. Our economies are closely connected. I think the issue will resolve itself in a few months. It may take some time. Now Trump is under intense pressure due to the war with Iran, rising gasoline prices in the United States and the elections in November. Hence, he tries to shift the blame to others.

— Do you think he realizes that Washington needs allies?

— In my opinion, he sees it as a deal. For him, a major real estate tycoon from Manhattan, everything is business, and he seriously believes that he can put pressure on Germany, Spain, Italy and anyone. What confuses me is something else, and it's hard for me to understand it: why he literally never puts pressure on Russia. Never! This does not fit in my head at all.

— Considering that he hardly criticizes Russia: does he even think about the consequences of a possible defeat of Ukraine?

"It's just a deal for him, too. He doesn't care that Ukraine is a young democracy that is struggling for survival. He accuses Zelensky of starting this conflict, and echoes the Kremlin's arguments. It's unbelievable. It took me a while to accept this fact, but now I'm sure: for him, all this is really just business. A real estate deal. For him, only this question matters: how to get more influence. And also — how to take revenge on the one who, in his opinion, insulted him.

— If everything is just a deal for him, does this judgment also apply to his current strategy towards Europe?— These are solid market mechanisms. He also treated Greenland as if it were a real estate deal. I really think that in this administration, unfortunately, he is surrounded by people who only say: "Yes, Mr. President." There are not enough people around him who are able to object to him: You can't do that, you need to talk to the Germans first, or do this and that. He behaves like a mafia.