'Boots on the ground should not be be off the table' Ben Hodges interview | DW News
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- čas přidán 28. 02. 2024
- In this exclusive interview with DW's Ines Pohl, retired US Army officer Ben Hodges discusses German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's announcement that there are British troops in Ukraine before the UK has announced it, and why it seems inadvisable for Scholz to rule out Germany sending its own troops to Ukraine. Hodges also touches on the oft-mentioned subject of what the chances really are that Putin would deploy his nuclear arsenal.
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#russia #ukraine #putin
12:17 "...Not one American soldier or German Bundeswehr soldier has even broken a fingernail...So, I mean, what are we tired of?"
I love this man.
Hodges is brilliant Why can’t political leaders listen to his advice?
Yes. Only the Ukrainians who you claim to care about about.
I hope you caught his fluent German at the end, too. lol
@@virtual2152 That, and the fact that he is able to clearly pronounce nuclear, instead of "nucular" :D
ben hodges trying to send europeans to die for uk and usa... and eurosavages cheer him lol
Macron didn't say we should send troops to Ukraine, he said he couldn't rule out the possibility.
And Scholz said british and french soliders are already in ukraine on the ground...
This scandal was fabricated by the media. It's absurd to ask every President or PM in Europe if they agree something Macron didn't say. These journalists just want to produce the headlines.
And Putin didn't say he will nuke anyone but it's certainly a possibility.
Yup why do you think so many Russian jets have been shot down lately
The nato countries also said they wouldn't send M1 Abrams or F-16s in either yet look at them now. It's only a matter of time
Eisenhower said a commander should never tell the enemy what he isnt going to do.
Let him waste his time guessing.
Unless it's information warfare and that is EXACTLY what he's going to do.
1. politicians don't grasp that this isn't cold war any more. This one is hot, people die, children die. Or are displaced, or swim an icy river to escape the draft. I've seen plenty in my time at the Ukraine border. Declarations just won't do. 2. they don't care any more. I'm afraid that the time of the democratically elected statespeople who put the benefit of their electorate, or their country before their own is long gone and lamented.
I guess Biden and Scholtz are speaking to another audience - their presumed voters...
Eisenhower was a military General. We would need people like him in power not these civilian clowns.
how can the russian defeated if they dont make and action
The French never said they would send troops on the ground in Ukraine he only said the possibility is not off the table just like anything is open for consideration this is being blown out of proportion. All options are open for discussion not decisions made to put troops on the ground. All countries have the right to think about what can be considered
It was rather crazy of Macron to celebrate the ununity of NATO- memberstates in public. Even Stoltenberg refused. Putin will laugh quite a lot..
It was still meant as a provocation to satisfy macron’s desperate need to stay relevant in all global politics. Macron is trying for France to stay relevant and regain the relevancy it once has on the world stage.
Yes, this video begins with a misquote of what Emmanuel Macron said about a week ago.
But why would Macron who has so far delivered almost no military aid suddenly talk about boots on the ground ? Macron is just a attention seeker and like many others is using this conflict for his political games. While Ukrainians are dying.
I think Germany has been trained to be timid since WW2. They're not used to being boisterous and militant and for good reason. The reality is, today NATO needs Germany and their military prowess of engineering. An organized and galvanized NATO is a beast of an adversary and every time Putin opens his mouth, NATO gets stronger. Europe just has to see that themselves.
I hate the fact that Gen. has been preaching this strategic objective requirement and nobody in the us government has been listening!
Tell me about it. What in the world is Lloyd Austin saying to Biden? "Yes sir, withholding key capabilities while overstating the price tag of our contributions to Ukraine will send a clear message." I can't believe Mark Milley and CQ Brown have been willful participants in this cluster puck.
I wish more people in the US had the insights and integrity to see that Biden has mismanaged this from before "go" and that one of the few worse possible people for the job would be Trump. Why do people get behind "their guy" rather than behind a policy?
I absolutely agree , but I do think that Ukraine listens to him, not to mention every present and retired NATO serviceman , me included.
Nobody? I'm sure there are some really good people in the defense and intelligence communities who agree completely. It's a handful of loathsome political creatures, mostly in the House of Representatives, who put their petty agendas ahead of both the political will of the majority of Americans as well as the well-being of the American republic.
The GOP hasn't been listening
@@alanshackelford6450 I'll preface what I'll say with me being a Democrat in Ukraine, so as to alleviate concerns about this being party preference. I don't disagree that there's a special place in heck warming up for Speaker Johnson's arrival, but the Biden administration made multiple errors in judgement that has denied key capabilities when they were needed (before the Russians fortified). Biden way over-stated the fear of escalation when no one in eastern Europe was saying that concern was justified. He blew the opportunity to make real progress when the political will was global and throughout Congress. He still denies capabilities even if the funding is there and he said strategically short-sighted things like no NATO boots on the ground. (BTW Kyiv is more full of American accents than I ever recall kt being.)
Mr. Hodges never ceases to speak straight facts.
Hahaha he predicted Ukraine would capture Crimea by August 2022, then said spring 2023, then said summer 2023. Total clown always wrong
@@DjokovicTheGoatiterally always
@@DjokovicTheGoathe said if they were given the equipment necessary, which they weren't and still haven't.
We've provided the bare minimum from day one, should have given them everything they needed straight away and the war would likely have been over 12 months now.
Just love to listen to Ben Hodges. He's a breathe of goodness and clarity, common sense
Military men are sometimes quite fascinating to listen to. Like frontline buddhas.
Ben gave us as an straight answer. Great man.
This is what we need to hear.
I have a lot of respect for this man.
Do you want WW3?
@@a.r.stellmacher8709 it's already here. Most either can not see or refuse to recognize the obvious. We continue to do so at our own peril. Our own people have been compromised. This is period is about a global power grab.
Macron specifically said there was no consensus in Europe about the possibility of sending troops, but that he thinks we should keep this open. This journalist keeps misrepresenting what was said.
Macron said one thing, got backlash and hasted to correct it, with other offcials rushing to put in in their interpretations to keep thing calm. Face it, it's a mess.
ALL OF THEM DO! This is just so crazy.
ok vic nuland we believe you..... plop
@@theroldan8013 His speech is online, dude. Just go watch it.
I mean, Germans somehow thinks, that they still owe anything to ruzzia
He's so consistent on his points, I hope at some point western leaders put his advice in action
At some point you might realize he's the reason you lost and he might actually be working for Russia.
I hope not. I dont want to die in a nuclear war over Ukraine.
He should send his children to the front line and stop sitting there talking
His last statement was on the nose. Russia wanted to make sure Ukraine never got the iron dome. Oct 7th was Iran's gift to Russia.
Iron dome is far too expensive to protect Ukraine from so many missiles and drones. And I think long term we will see it is too expensive for Israel to maintain as well.
Just to be clear, macro did not say we should send troops, he said « there is no consensus about sending troops, but we cannot completely take this of the table » the journalist work is getting more and more poor.
lol you seems desperate. macron said what said we all hear
@@theroldan8013 What he said is online. clearly you didn't watch it.
thats good wording, keeping it vague and on the table of possibilities is smart.
@@adrien5834 >clearly you didn't watch it.
All NATO's tops who speeded to disregard Macron's words didn't watch him too? 😆
You are patetic
@@theroldan8013 Macron said exactly what the OP is claiming, Macron never got more specific or committed to sending troops.
You would think that Macron had said something outrageous. The West has sent troops to countries with far LESS reason for doing so (Afghanistan, Iraq). Ukraine has already proven its commitment to achieving freedom, democracy, and peace within its own, sovereign borders. Russia has a population of 140 million to Ukraine's 40 million. In what way is this a "fair" fight?
Ukraine has proven its commitment to embezzling E.U. and U.S. tax dollars.
Besides Russia being a military arms manufacturer , and Ukraine being an agricultural country ! The Ukrainians are fighting a brave fight and deserve all the help In both military and humanitarian aid In order to remain a free sovereign democratic country , maintaining their freedom their flag their language and their culture . To live in peace governed by their own elected leaders In Kyiv .
@@thedustyhead
Or they could agree to not join NATO and end the war that way.
Maybe because it’s much easier to send troops to far off countries and mostly attack from the air than to go and fight on the ground against an actual enemy on Europe’s borders
@@dwl3006 Wrong. NATO is a DEFENSIVE alliance. It exists to protect vulnerable, sovereign countries from Russian aggression. Ukraine MUST, and WILL join NATO as this will be the only way to protect itself. This was NEVER about NATO. This was about taking over Ukraine and the destroying Ukrainian identity.
Nothing should be off limits...behind close doors.
Thank you DW this interview with such a thoughtful, knowledgeable person.
As Churchill said our policy is “ Victory”in winning WW2 . Should be same in Ukraine
Nobody needs Churchill-sayings in times of nuclear weapons!
@@eddastrohmayer251 Ok so as Russia has nuclear weapons we need to give up immediately and hand over to them everything they want. I am sure this will work and ensure peace for our time.
Newsflash you brainiac - neither the U.S. nor the west is at war with Russia. Russia did NOT attack the west or the U.S. no matter how much war mongers like old men with “rank” who never fought in a real war themselves will have you believe.
The British depended on the soviet Union to defeat the German
@@miroslavdusin4325you need to respect Russian interest
They are not small country In The Middle East
Which is attacked at will by the America
Amazing interview, Ben Hodges is a great military analyst. I don't miss any interview with him. He always brings some news points of view very interesting.
he's been consistently wrong for over a year on his analysis
The Toroist - Nope. It's you who has been wrong every time.
Ben is one of the most clear-eyed people out there. Rational, calm, calculating. These politicians are like little girls running around and flopping mouths, unfortunately with consequences.
😂
All options must remain on the table.
Including peace negotiations I hope.
@@andyjones1982 Those should be on the table after Russia is out of Ukrainian territory.
Well said general Hodges. Its not about ignoring Russias nuclear threats. Its about reaffirming our convictions. Are individual roghts worth fighting and possibly dying for? Is freedom of press and speech more important than self preservation?
The threat of nuclear war exists whether we would meet an aggressor on the field battle or not.
lmao "freedom of press".
For two years Mr. Hodges has given it to us straight. Are any of our European politicians ever going to listen? Sphincter Boy Scholz has shat himself over putin again.
Has has also been 100% wrong with every prediction he has made regarding this war. He is a Ukrainian cheerleader, not a impartial analyst.
@@braxxianI agree he’s been very wrong. Would love to see his investments. I support Ukrain but things looking not too good
@@braxxianCheerleader?? Unless you like the idea of WWIII, Russia must lose.
Giving it to us straight? 😂. He’s a clown and he’s been completely wrong every step of the way. Ukraine is getting their teeth kicked in.
@@paddy6358 anyone stopping you?
It was just a few years ago when Germany was the best friend of Russia....
Germany ignored many worning and pleading from one Eastern European country specifically ,
And called them Russophobe
Wtf are you smoking? They weren't friends, just business partners.
and still germany is the largest european supporter of ukraine by a long shot.
you could combine most of europe (including UK and France) and wouldnt get equal amounts of aid to what germany delivers constantly.
@@zhufortheimpaler4041it's annoying isn't it? Nobody looks at the bigger picture people just act reactionary and emotional to little pieces of information without any context. People are literally animals.
I still remember French cursing the USA and saying the USA forced the French government to stop the sale of French built warships to Russia.
European people and countries are similar to a pit of snakes always wanting to bite anyone at any available opportunity.
The USA needs to get away from these countries and people.
I guess the germs forgot about the east german thing quickly.
All options should be left open.
Including peace and compromise, based on a realistic view of Putin, Ukraine, and Russia, not on this baseless and insane idea that Russia wants to conquer the rest of europe. Ukraine is one of the Rus-sian countries, like Belarus, with a large Russian population, many of whom welcomed Russian forces. that is the truth, easy to find and evaluate, but suspiciously few people on here seem to have done that.
Thank you General Hodges. If only our foolish leaders (our politicians) would follow your advice.
Ben Hodges is so fantastic; detailed, cogent, big-picturesque.
epic sarcasm man. lol
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@operator9858 Totally beet-worthy. Congrats!
😂😁😂😁😁😂😂
are you part of the organisation that runs the American government per chance?
I feel sorry for Scholz... definitely a softy for the good times, but way out of his depth when times get tough.
I feel sorry for little Napoleons and war- cheerleaders. Only diplomacy will make a solution to this senseless war !
And just to add: Macron is isolated in Europe with his big mouth and already wents back ...
He is a small town mayor.
@@gyorgygajdos1657 And you a great war-hero ? Suppose only a war-cheerleader...
Agreed but don’t feel sorry for him, while he constantly procrastinates, Ukrainians die
I don't feel sorry for him. If he has no clue he at least should listen to others.
Great interview with Ben Hodges. Thank you!
Never tell the enemy what you won't do.
General Hodges is the one to listen to, since he is 100% correct.
He has been consistently wrong. Just to refresh your short memory He has been saying Russia ran out of ammunition last year, poorly trained, low morale. Do you want me to go on?
@@silafaupaulmeredith7251, please, don't. You're severally misinformed.
@@LuV2SPDupDo you want a link from last year
@@silafaupaulmeredith7251, I don't want a link, Iván.......
@@silafaupaulmeredith7251 , what part of "I don't want your misinformed links" you don't understand?
Unusually Macron is right on this one: Sending troops shouldn't be excluded as a possibility - though of course it should be an absolute last resort, the first step should be a significant step up in material and economical support for Ukraine.
in that cas, france should increase its aid to ukraine by about 10x, then it would be an equal GDP share to germany.
The only thing Macron did is celebrating the disunity of NATOmember states ! Even Stoltenberg refused.
It's absolute nonsense to go to public without seeking consensus before. Putin will laugh quite a lot ...
Then why isn’t France moving forward? It was Macron's idea. In addition, France hardly helps Ukraine at all, compared to Germany
If right or wrong, he made a fool of European countries by celebrating their un-unity in public. Putin will have laughed a lot !
Hodges is right. Sadly Scholz is not fit for times of crisis like this and he can't detach himself enough from Russia.
Ben should run for president.
This man has lots of valuable experience, and imo has shown clear thinking, Logic and sense through out the world mess we are in since russia started its agression on the world.
Will be the last president for USA it seems.
Aggression on the world ? Mmmm... Maybe aggression to US egemony...? World is big. You consider only British or US or English speakers. If it is that you are thinking of remembering, this is a small part will help you before making such a statement. His only logic are the money 💰 he get from lobbying the defence industrial complex.
100% agree with you, men like him should run for president not a businessman who cares only about money especially in short term
Exactly!
Yes!
Not only general is well connected, he is also well grounded in facts and logic.
Lmfao he said the counteroffensive was going to take Crimea back. It didn’t even make the first line of dense they made 500 meters for 60 billion dollars
@@markuscev4581 He also qualified with "IF" the West adequately supports Ukraine, which it did not do and still is not doing.
Allowing foreign technical experts into Ukraine. to help build desperately needed fortifications is a no-brainer, along with the related equipment. This is defensive, after all.
Yes, it was primarily a defensive stance, that was begun with the sanctions and coaltions aid agreements with Ukraine ... Russia would not back down or off ... you see the direct results to present day 😑
As a Finn it has been difficult during this war time to see Germany lacking the objective of the war support.
Ben Hodges is right in his words.
Baltic countries and Finland have the goal to defeat Russia in Ukraine. A compromise peace is not lasting.
Means to achieve a win will be seen once the objective goal is clear.
Ben Hodges is high caliber individual. Well done listening to his views.
Can't agree with Ben Hodges more. Why do you want to tell your enemy what you will do and what you will not do?
10:00 Thank you to Ben Hodges for stating what he means by wining.
Ben and David Pedreaus are one on their views and they are best we have in the U.S. They say support Ukraine to win!
Like victory in Afghanistan 😮😮
In public nothing should be off the table
You realize the only thing rest of the world sees is NATO desperation.
Except for talking badly about climate change or gender or a million other things that do not involve WW3. Okay.
Good interview. Excellent clarity.
excellent interview. Ben Hodges has the conviction and mental clarity of a winner
Iraq - lost, afghanistan - lost, vietnam - lost. Not a winner.
Crystal clear, and there is absplutely nothing to disagree with.
Always a pleasure to hear the views of Ben Hodges.
Gen. Hodges is always a good interview. He sees clearly how the West easily deters itself and the need for clear objectives.
Chamberlain, Daladier, and Scholz
The list of shame
Thank you for spending the time to create and share this content
Ben Hodges, a man with integrity and courage.
Something in shortage in the west on these days.
Love this gyu, I think he is very much on the spot. He has also expiriance and knowlege of orchs tinking...
That was a very good interview.
Agree that Olaf Scholz is out of line. For a leader, he is too emotionally engaged. We need cool heads during a crisis.
Emotionally engaged?... I'd call it being just plain scared.
Simple, straight to the point. clear. I like this man.
Great interview 🙏
Where is Taurus?
Where are Germany's nuclear weapons?
where is the french aid?
635 million $ in delivered military aid is quit a limited amount comparing it to 18 billion $ from germany.
In a country having the aircraft to launch them.
In the Taurus storage
@@MetalheadAndNerd That's easy to look up. Just read about NATO nuclear sharing.
Thank you for saying what seems totally obvious to me but not for many people including politicians out there. This is a very smart, sensitive interview I wish everyone would see and listen.
Sarcasm?
Nein, Russe! @@altodata2617
It's not even totally obvious, it is painfully obvious, and I cannot fathom the level of self-importance of some politicians in the US seem to have, some of them would not hesitate to sacrifice the rest of the world around them if it only meant they get to feel important for another term. I am equally perplexed by the depoliticization of a large percentage of the US via divisive but ultimately distractive partisan issues that are solvable with a little compromise but are not to be solved because they are more useful as political chess pieces.
At this point, misrepresenting that much what Macron said can only be done on purpose. He never said "should send", but only that the possibility shouldn't be ruled out.
So refreshing to hear clear words from someone who has thought things through instead of incoherent word salad from certain politicians.
Agree with Hodges. Germans needs to sack Shultz now. It is SO dumb telling the world and Putin that Germany will not do any military action.. when Putin never restricts his options. Unbelievable. ( Australia)
North Korea is not restrictions their weapons that they are supplying to Russia nor has Iran.
no Scholz only stated the agreed actionplan from February 2022, that there wont be an active NATO involvement in Ukraine.
That was never a sectret.
That british and french military observers and training missions are in ukraine is also known for 2+ years by now.
Your comment shows a lack of experience and is just wrong in so many ways.
1. You can't just "sack" a democratically elected leader. On what base would you do that? It would cause severe damage to peoples trust in democracy.
2. I think people from the US or in your case Australia don't have the right to make such bold statements. You're not the ones sitting directly next to Russian nuclear missile silos. It's easy to talk big when its not your citys and your people that are at stake.
@@Micha-qv5uf 1. Tell me any democracy, including yours, that does not have a process to sack a Leader outside of elections, especially when the majority of the Parliament including the leaders own party,want him/ her replaced? It happens frequently. 2. The German Chancellor is a disgrace in both Strategic Leadership and drip feeding support always overriding his own earlier “no” to actions and Russian love him for it.
3. In so many ways., you gave two ignorant arguments, “ so many” ?
@@Micha-qv5uf Lmao no sane person still has "trust" in what they call "democracy". Its not the 60s anymore dude.
Completely agree that DW should not misrepresent what was actually said - DW can, and used to, do better.
Ben would be a great president for the United States he should run for office
7:30 The mentioning of nuclear weapons just makes me angry and more resolved that we have to support Ukrain as i am not to be bullied into fear by some dictator who denies his countrymen rights and sends them blindly into a meatgrinder.
Good interview, good questions. DW at the top!
I wish he was advising the White House!! 😔
He is absolutely right. You should not telegraph your intentions to your enemy. Keep them guessing.
Macron is right ! We ( NATO) should not take boots on the ground as an option. He didn't say we (NATO) are sending boots on the ground.
US boots on the ground in Ukraine is an insane proposal.
Hodges for president!!! Makes WAY more sense than the 2 galoops that will run?????
Great interview! thank you! 🙏
I like this Man...Gen.Ben Hodges best military analyst, thank you very much, 100% right.
🤨 why is that reporter twisting words?
It's not what is being said.
No boots on the ground.
Agreed. We should not agree to what Ben Hodges says. We don’t want WW3.
BRAVO !! In sfarsit un om care stie ce vorbeste !!! Respect pentru argumentele lui !!
I hope you are now happy being at home with your family. Enjoy. So long, general. Thanks for all lessons you have shared. 👍❤️
Competence meets competence.
Thank you.
I pray the world is listening to the dignified wisdom of Officer Ben Hodges…..this is a great interview.
Aren’t you promoting WW3 by agreeing with Mr. Hodges?
Surely boots on the ground are, by definition, not on a table...
General Hodges is the straight talking experience ALL western politicians should listen to
With crazy talk like that, I'm glad he's not in a position to actually do anything.
I see it the same way. He is indirectly promoting WW3, in which Germany would play a leading role. False Flags set by Germany’s so- called allies could easily draw Germany much deeper into this war and putting blame on it for starting WW3. I don’t want to read headlines like ‘Germany starting WW3’.
Ahhh, don't tell your adversary your red lines, duh. (Gives history book)
Great interview .. very informative.. thank you
The headline is a classic mixed metaphor. How can the boots be on the ground and on the table at the same time?
Soldiers are boots on ground and politicians responsible have their feet on table relaxing at home.
Very good analysis from the general, on many different subjects and from different views. Much more political framing and realism than before. He seems very well informed.
What a great leader a very very smart man hes like a good poker player !!!!!
Whenever I listen to Gen Hodge, I m always happy because his explanations re crystal clear
Well said!!!
Ben Hodges is a national treasure!
He's there to sell this WAR.
SCHOLZ is there to maintain the GERMAN Economy, they have two different tasks.
With Olaf Scholz at the helm there is very little prospect of strong, united leadership.
The most sensible human alive right now.
Sensible to vampire coins
I love listening to Ben Hodges. Much Respect! Thank you for inviting him .
More you appease Putin and looking for negotiations more confident he becomes. All russians attached. Compromise is not what you need in war, compromise leads to more war
Scholz is completely clueless when it comes to strategic foreign policy. The guy has probably never heard of ambiguity.
Mr Hodgson, it is a pleasure to listen to you. Really good format, two smart people talking, nice. Thank you for that.
Great view of the situation. Thank hoy very much for this interview….
I mean Germany don't have to provide taurus or in fact any weapons to Ukraine - it is a good will of any country as Ukraine is not in the alliance, but for Olaf Scholz revealing secret/ alliance information to the hands of the enemy is something unimaginable.
I don't know how other countries would ever cooperate with German intelligence after this.
its not secret information, there have been tv interviews etc with british and french soldiers in 2022 who had observed the battle of kyiv for example.
I never undrstood what Olaf Scholz wanted in the chancellors office. Seemingly unsuitable. So I guessed I might maybe miss something in this sober north German. Now I see, that tragically, he simply has an inflated selfconfidence. What makes the tragedy even worse is that he has to deal with a war now. Rather two wars.
His failures mean death and suffering, possibly defeat for so many people.
» . . . unfortunately the german Bundeskanzler seems the most out of step . . . «: Exactly! 🤢
Ben Hodges is so clear and strong! 🙏
Hear him, please…
Mr. Ben Hodges is excellent. Why presidents don't listen to such excellent advisors is beyond me. Scholz needs to get his act together.
Bang on Ben Hodges!!! So clearly analyzed!!!
It makes little difference if the British have technicians in Ukraine. Phones exist, video chat exists. Them being there in person is virtually the same thing.
Ultimately, Macron stated that was his take on the situation, as opposed to an EU consensus.
Eu has to pull out the finger of the butt and start to stand alone and help Ukraine. If UKR fail, what does ppl think, will they stop with a fully mobilized economy and experienced army?
Moldova. Georgia maybe.