Europe is prepared to sustain Ukraine’s military defence against Russia even without U.S. support, says Germany’s top official overseeing arms deliveries to Kyiv, as uncertainty grows over Washington’s future role.
Europe is capable of maintaining Ukraine’s resistance against Russia, even if the United States were to completely withdraw its military support, according to the German general overseeing Berlin’s arms deliveries to Kyiv.
Major General Christian Freuding, head of the German Defence Ministry’s Ukraine task force, told Reuters that NATO’s European members and Canada have already surpassed the $20 billion in military aid the U.S. provided to Ukraine last year. According to him, they now account for around 60% of the total military support from Western allies.
“The war in Ukraine is taking place on our continent. It’s also a direct attack on the European security order,” Freuding said. “If the political will exists, then the resources will follow — and Europe can largely offset any shortfall from the U.S.”
While Ukraine continues to receive weapons under previous authorisations by former U.S. President Joe Biden, uncertainty surrounds whether his successor, Donald Trump, will approve additional aid or permit third countries to procure U.S. arms for Ukraine.
Asked how long Biden-approved supplies will last, Freuding said it would depend on logistical timelines and the pace at which Ukraine consumes weapons and ammunition, with summer 2025 being a realistic estimate.
“The future of U.S. support remains unclear. What we do know is that the U.S. has a strong interest in expanding its defence industry,” Freuding added. “I cautiously assume that at the very least, it will remain possible to purchase U.S. defence products for Ukraine.”
Russia’s Military Buildup
On Russia’s broader ambitions, Freuding warned that Moscow is actively rebuilding and expanding its military, aiming to double the size of its land forces to 1.5 million troops by 2026.
“They’re recruiting far more personnel than needed for the war in Ukraine,” he said. “They’re also stockpiling surplus ammunition and expanding military infrastructure — especially in the Western Military District, near the border with new NATO member Finland.”
Freuding cautioned that any ceasefire in Ukraine could allow Russia to accelerate its rearmament, potentially setting the stage for a larger-scale attack on NATO sometime after 2029, according to current alliance estimates.
“Of course, a ceasefire would shift the threat landscape,” he said.
Moscow, for its part, denies any plans to attack NATO and claims its so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine is intended to defend Russia from Western aggression.
German and European Contributions
Germany, according to its defence ministry, has pledged €38 billion ($43 billion) in military support to Ukraine, including funding committed for the coming years — making it the second-largest donor after the United States.
Freuding noted that it remains unclear whether the Trump administration has authorised any U.S.-origin weapons deliveries to Ukraine paid for by third-party nations.
He acknowledged that some aspects of U.S. support would be difficult for Europe to replace, including:
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data
Air defence systems like the Patriot
Spare parts for U.S.-made weapons
“If it turns out that the U.S. will no longer provide ISR data, we’ll have to explore how to compensate for that,” Freuding said. Ukraine heavily relies on U.S. intelligence, not just for air defence, but also for precision targeting, experts say.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday voiced deep concern over the escalating tensions following the United States’ military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling on all sides to prioritize diplomacy over confrontation.
The Pentagon concluded a high-stakes press briefing Saturday afternoon following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, outlining the scale and success of the mission while stressing the door remains open to diplomacy.
Türkiye has voiced strong concern following the United States’ strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that the action could dangerously escalate the conflict and trigger a global crisis.
Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran’s top diplomat on Sunday issued a stark condemnation of the United States following overnight military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, declaring that Washington had crossed a "very big red line" and would be held "fully responsible" for the consequences.
Iran's top security body, the SNSC, will decide on closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil and gas chokepoint, after parliament's reported approval. A Revolutionary Guards commander stated the measure is "on the agenda," signaling escalating tensions.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday voiced deep concern over the escalating tensions following the United States’ military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling on all sides to prioritize diplomacy over confrontation.
The Pentagon concluded a high-stakes press briefing Saturday afternoon following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, outlining the scale and success of the mission while stressing the door remains open to diplomacy.
Türkiye has voiced strong concern following the United States’ strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that the action could dangerously escalate the conflict and trigger a global crisis.
Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
The Pentagon concluded a high-stakes press briefing Saturday afternoon following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, outlining the scale and success of the mission while stressing the door remains open to diplomacy.
Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
A chorus of condemnation emerged from Latin America on Sunday as leaders from Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia denounced the United States for its recent airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, calling them a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Iran's top security body, the SNSC, will decide on closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil and gas chokepoint, after parliament's reported approval. A Revolutionary Guards commander stated the measure is "on the agenda," signaling escalating tensions.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday voiced deep concern over the escalating tensions following the United States’ military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling on all sides to prioritize diplomacy over confrontation.
The Pentagon concluded a high-stakes press briefing Saturday afternoon following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, outlining the scale and success of the mission while stressing the door remains open to diplomacy.
Türkiye has voiced strong concern following the United States’ strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that the action could dangerously escalate the conflict and trigger a global crisis.
Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
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