The battle for Crimea will be a key one in Russia's war against Ukraine, the latter will not be safe while Russian troops are on the peninsula. This was stated by the former commander of US troops in Europe, General Ben Hodges, reports Insider..

" The Ukrainian government understands that it cannot agree to Russia retaining control over Crimea. Ukraine will not be safe and will not be able to rebuild its economy as long as Russia keeps Crimea,” the general said..

According to Hodges, Ukraine over the next few months will create conditions for the final liberation of Crimea. He added that in order to liberate the peninsula, the Armed Forces of Ukraine need high-precision weapons, in particular ATACMS..

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Also, according to the general, in order to de-occupy Crimea, it will be necessary to isolate the peninsula from the Russian Federation by destroying the Kerch bridge.

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At the same time, Hodges criticized the White House for its unwillingness to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons..

Recall that the Secretary General of the Party of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the reconquest of Crimea legal with the help of German-made Leopard 2 tanks.