German General: Ukraine’s war effort can be sustained without the US

The key requirement will be political will, he believes.

US not needed

Europe can sustain Ukraine’s military resistance even if the U.S. withdraws its support, according to Major General Christian Freuding, who oversees Germany’s weapons deliveries.

In an interview with Reuters, he asserted that Europe has the resources and political resolve to fill the gap if Washington pulls back.

NATO Allies Already Outspending U.S. on Ukraine

Freuding pointed out that European NATO members and Canada have together surpassed the $20 billion in military aid the U.S. provided to Ukraine last year.

“The War Is on Our Continent”

Framing the war as a direct threat to European security, Freuding stressed that European nations have both the motivation and capacity to act.

“If the political will is there, then the means will also be there,” he said.

U.S. Aid Continues—for Now

Ukraine is still receiving weapons deliveries approved by the Biden administration.

However, the future of American support is uncertain, especially with Donald Trump back in office.

Whether Trump would greenlight new supplies or allow third-party purchases of U.S. arms for Ukraine remains unclear.

Summer Likely a Cutoff for Current U.S. Shipments

Asked how long Biden-approved supplies could last, Freuding estimated they might stretch into summer.

But this depends heavily on logistics and how rapidly Ukraine consumes ammunition and equipment amid ongoing combat.

U.S. Defense Industry Still a Key Player

Despite the uncertainties, Freuding cautiously suggested that European nations might still be able to buy American-made defense goods—even if U.S. political support wanes.

Russia Is Rebuilding—and Growing Fast

Freuding warned that Moscow is not just replenishing losses but significantly expanding its military.

Russia aims to double its ground forces to 1.5 million by 2026 and is reportedly stockpiling ammunition beyond its current war needs.

Strategic Buildup Near Finland Raises Alarms

Russia is also beefing up infrastructure in its western military district, near newly joined NATO member Finland.

This move, according to Freuding, reflects a long-term strategy that extends well beyond Ukraine.

Ceasefire Could Play into Russia’s Hands

A ceasefire in Ukraine might sound like a step toward peace, but Freuding cautioned it could give Russia breathing room to accelerate its rearmament.

NATO estimates that Moscow could be ready for a potential large-scale attack on the alliance by 2029.

Replacing U.S. Military Capabilities Won’t Be Easy

While Europe can match much of the U.S. aid in financial terms, some American capabilities remain irreplaceable.

Freuding listed high-end air defense systems like the Patriot, spare parts for U.S. weapons, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data as critical gaps.