Russia sees Odesa as key leverage to pressure Ukraine, says Colonel Grant

Retired British Army Colonel and military expert Glen Grant stated this in an interview on Espreso TV.

He commented on the opinion of former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Wesley Clark. The U.S. Army general believes that the Kremlin has not abandoned its strategic plan in the south, with Odesa being a primary objective.

“I completely agree. The point about Russia’s strategy is clear. Russia wants control of the country,” Grant said.

The expert believes that Russia doesn’t want to “fight its way all the way to Lviv” — its goal lies elsewhere.

"What it wants is control, and it would also like to take Odesa. If it gains control of Odesa, it can effectively strangle the country financially, economically, and politically. There will always be the threat that Russia may try to push for Odesa, perhaps when people are not expecting it," the colonel concluded.

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