Gen. Ben Hodges Analyzes the Latest News on Ukraine

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, HOST: You said over a month ago. You twitted, Russia’s logistics system is exhausted. Can’t replace systems and parts. Transport overstretched. Signs of the impending total collapse of Russian forces. Sanctions are working. Send Ukraine what it needs and maintain pressure on the Kremlin. This could be over by the end of the year. Well, General Hodges, you obviously know that lay of the land, the battlefield. You were commander of U.S. Army Forces in Europe. But that time, that prediction was really out of step. Nobody was saying that. In fact, people would say, oh, my gosh. You know, have we miscalculated? Can Ukrainians do this? Should they (INAUDIBLE). You were very bold. Do you still think it could be over by the end of the year?

BEN HODGES, FORMER COMMANDING GENERAL, U.S. ARMY EUROPE: Well, we know that war is a test of wheel and it’s a test of logistics. And it’s clear that the Ukrainians have superior will, both their soldiers and their amazing population to people compared to Russian forces. We know that the Russian logistics system is exhausted and it’s in worse shape now than it was a month ago. Whereas the Ukrainians are benefiting from, not only their own experience, but also continuing aid from the United States and the U.K. and others. So, the real test of will is going to be, does the west stick together, stick with the Ukrainian government, or does the Kremlin have the superior will? I absolutely believe that Ukrainian forces will push Russian forces back at least to the 23 February line by the end of this year. And that Crimea, early next year, will be totally under control of Ukrainian forces. It could all go faster.