Ukraine can win Crimea back within a year - General Hodges

This was stated by the former commander of US forces in Europe, an expert at the Washington Center for European Policy Analysis, retired General Ben Hodges, Newsweek reports.

"They set the conditions under which they can restore full sovereignty, including Crimea, I think, within the next year," he said.

According to Hodges, Russia currently controls less than 20% of Ukraine's territory, and its ability to conduct further offensive operations is practically exhausted.

He added that Western partners should provide Kyiv with the material and moral support it will need to achieve a complete military victory.

"We need a declaration that we want Ukraine to win, that we want it to get all of its territory back, that we want it to be able to defend itself in the future, and that we will do everything necessary to help them do that," he said.

Ben Hodges noted that Washington is fully aware of Ukraine's needs.