Edith Hejberg
Retired U.S. Army General and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Wesley Clark believes Russia’s ultimate objective in its war against Ukraine is to seize Odessa.
He argues that this port city’s strategic importance would give Moscow a dominant position in the Black Sea and cut Ukraine off from vital trade routes.
Trump’s 10‑Day Ultimatum Won’t Stop the War
Clark dismissed the idea that Donald Trump’s reported 10‑day ultimatum to Russia could end the fighting.
He warned that Vladimir Putin will not halt his offensive simply due to external pressure, noting that Russia’s war machine is running “non‑stop, seven days a week.”
Biden’s Early Missteps Cost Ukraine Momentum
According to Clark, the Biden administration failed to arm Ukraine quickly and decisively in the early months of the invasion.
Had Kyiv received heavy artillery, HIMARS, F‑16s, ATACMS missiles, and other critical supplies sooner, he believes Ukrainian forces could have stopped Russian advances in their tracks.
Europe Steps Up, but Capacity Lags Behind
Clark acknowledged Europe’s increasingly firm stance toward Moscow but cautioned that its ability to help Ukraine remains limited.
He supports European nations purchasing U.S. weapons, but stresses they must be delivered to the front lines fast to make any real difference.
Why Defense Alone Won’t Win This War
Drawing comparisons to Israel’s missile defense challenges, Clark emphasized that defensive systems can prevent defeat but cannot secure victory.
Ukraine, he says, must go beyond defense and take the fight to Russia’s critical infrastructure to turn the tide of war.
Targeting Russia’s War Lifelines
Clark outlined a clear military strategy: Ukraine should strike deep inside Russia at logistical hubs, weapons factories, ammunition depots, and petrochemical facilities.
Disrupting these lifelines, he believes, is the surest way to sap Moscow’s ability to sustain the conflict.
The Belarus Factor and a Long War Ahead
Russia’s military buildup in Belarus, facing the Baltic states and Finland, signals preparations for a prolonged conflict.
Clark warns that this northern pressure adds another layer of complexity for Ukraine and NATO to address.
Ukrainian Morale Is Not Enough
While praising Ukrainian resilience, Clark stresses that high morale alone cannot secure victory.
Without the right weapons, coordinated strategy, and deep strikes into Russian territory, Kyiv risks being locked in a grinding, indecisive war.
Putin’s Fear of Appearing Weak
Clark says Putin will never admit vulnerability. Even if Russia suffers setbacks, the Kremlin will project strength to the outside world.
This reluctance to appear weak, Clark argues, makes diplomatic resolution less likely without decisive battlefield pressure.
The Only Way to Stop Putin
For Clark, the solution is stark: physically halt Putin’s war effort by collapsing Russia’s logistical network or defeating its forces outright.
Anything less, he warns, will leave Moscow able and willing to continue the fight.
