Hudges emphasized that the US has undergone a significant shift in its strategic approach to Europe, stating, “The US has taken such a sudden change in our broad strategic approach to Europe.”
Hodges told DW that the shock waves of JD Vance’s speech in Munich were intended. “The Vice President is not going to be a foreign policy guy. The speech that he delivered was a shocking presentation, but I think it was intended to be that.”
About a possible peace deal in Ukraine Hodges said: Ending the war in Ukraine is going to be a long process. This is not going to be achieved in 24 hours, nor is it going to be achieved in 100 days. I think we're talking about many months.
He said that Trump could easily change his approach to Russia: The President wants to be respected. He could turn very quickly when he realizes or begins to believe that the Russians are playing him, that they are, that they are never, ever going to give him the deal that he thinks they should.
If the Russians overplay their hand, I can imagine the president turning on them very quickly. He is asking and other European countries to finally step up: “Germany and other countries should not complain about being left out of these talks, but instead get involved in these talks.”
He also asked the US allies not to lose confidence in America. "We've been through a lot over the 250 years of our history, and we've been through some really bad times. And you know right now people are looking at us and wondering what's going on, I would just say don't give up on us. “
