At a time when the Ukraine war is grinding on in the trenches and the landscape is slowly changing, Wesley Clark reveals when the conflict in Ukraine will end. The former commander of NATO’s Allied Forces has made a striking assessment that is causing a stir, especially in Kyiv.
In a conversation with Ukrainian media, Clark speaks candidly, asserting that Russia’s eventual capture of Odessa would mark the end of the current conflict and a de facto victory for Moscow. No diplomatic niceties, no softening of the message.
“If Russia reaches Odessa, that’s the end. The end of the military phase, the end of resistance, the end of the game,” Clark says. In his view, Odessa is not just a port — it is a symbol. It would be the point after which, he claims, there would be no more manoeuvres or options for Ukraine.
According to Clark, Russian forces would complete a strategic arc along the Black Sea coast, effectively cutting off Ukraine’s last significant outlet to the West.
But his message doesn’t stop there. Clark believes that Ukraine’s forces are no longer capable of conducting a conventional defence — not because they don’t want to, but because, simply, they lack the resources. Exhaustion, losses on the battlefield, and a severe lack of equipment are forcing Ukraine’s military leadership to rethink their strategy. Holding positions is no longer enough, he argues; it’s time for a completely new approach.
According to Clark, the primary task for Ukraine’s commanders now is to prevent Russian forces from achieving their objectives by any means necessary. But how can they do this when their opponent seems well-established, logistically stable, and with clear operational priorities?
It is worth recalling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s words from February 2022, when he outlined the goals of Russia’s so-called “special military operation.” As he stated then, the tasks were vaguely defined as the “demilitarisation” and “denazification” of Ukraine. He also said that Russia had no intention of occupying Ukrainian territories, but rather aimed to secure the safety of Donbas and protect Russian-speaking populations.
Strategically, Odessa is now the point that could break the deadlock, not only militarily, but also symbolically and politically. If Odessa falls and the Black Sea coast is fully severed, the structure of international support for Kyiv could begin to collapse, not only on the ground but also on the diplomatic front.
Although no longer in active service, General Clark still has significant insight into the forces shaping military realities. His words are not to be taken lightly, especially at a time when Ukrainian leaders are increasingly admitting they lack the manpower and resources for a major breakthrough.
More voices within Ukraine are now calling for a shift in strategy, focusing on defending key points, while ambitions to retake lost territories are being downplayed.
Whether Odessa will truly become the turning point Clark predicts remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: both Kyiv and Moscow recognise its importance. And when both sides regard the same place as crucial, that place becomes more than just a city. It becomes a matter of time.
