(KYIV) – Retired United States Army Lieutenant General Ben Hodges said Russia is facing mounting pressure on the battlefield and economically, while questioning recent calls from Moscow for security guarantees and negotiations. Speaking to presenter Maxym Krapivnyy, Hodges described comments by Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on the need for security guarantees as “almost laughable”, noting that Russia had been secure before launching its invasion of Ukraine. He said Russia remains secure within its own borders but faces consequences as a result of its actions outside them. He added that the logic behind Moscow’s demands is unclear. Hodges said he…