Table of Contents
- Urgent Warning from Berlin
- Ukraine Support Is Europe Support
- Trump-Putin Ceasefire Talks Raise Alarms
- Germany’s Leadership Role
- What Ukraine Needs Today
- Sources
Urgent Warning from Berlin
In a blunt and impassioned appeal, one of Germany’s most respected military leaders has issued a stark warning: if Europe fails to fully back Ukraine in its war against Russia, the continent’s democratic foundations could collapse.
“The only reason for Putin to stop is if he is stopped,” said Lt. Gen. Alexander Sollfrank, commander of the German Army’s joint force command, during a recent interview at his Berlin headquarters.
With Ukraine support hanging in the balance amid shifting U.S. politics and war fatigue across Europe, General Sollfrank’s message couldn’t be clearer: hesitation equals surrender—not just for Kyiv, but for Berlin, Paris, and Warsaw too.
Ukraine Support Is Europe Support
General Sollfrank, who previously led NATO rapid-reaction forces and saw combat in Afghanistan, framed the conflict not as a distant regional war but as a direct defense of postwar European values.
“If Russia is successful, then these achievements of law, of right over might, are over,” he said. He emphasized that peace, pluralism, federal governance, and the rule of law—all hallmarks of modern Europe—are on the line.
“We should support Ukraine with everything they need,” he insisted, “with everything they require to reduce the Russian pressure.” For Sollfrank, Ukraine support isn’t charity—it’s existential self-preservation.
Trump-Putin Ceasefire Talks Raise Alarms
The general’s comments come as former U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming weeks to negotiate a ceasefire—a move that has alarmed European allies.
Moscow has consistently rejected ceasefire proposals unless Ukraine cedes large swaths of territory, including Crimea and parts of Donbas. Analysts fear a U.S.-brokered deal could force Kyiv into a humiliating compromise that emboldens further Russian aggression.
“We cannot wait for Washington to decide our fate,” Sollfrank warned. “Europe must act now—with unity, speed, and resolve.”
Germany’s Leadership Role
As Ukraine’s largest European backer, Germany has stepped up military aid significantly in 2025. Recent shipments include advanced Puma infantry fighting vehicles—symbols of Berlin’s deepening commitment.
One such vehicle was recently photographed on a factory floor, mounted on a yellow platform inside a high-visibility safety zone, ready for deployment to the front lines. Beyond hardware, Germany coordinates battlefield training, intelligence sharing, and logistical support through its operational command.
What Ukraine Needs Today
According to defense experts aligned with Sollfrank’s view, effective Ukraine support must include:
- Long-range artillery and precision munitions
- Modern air defense systems (e.g., IRIS-T, Patriot)
- Secure communications and drone countermeasures
- Sustained financial aid to keep government functions running
- Faster EU decision-making on arms deliveries
“Every week of delay gives Putin another advantage,” Sollfrank noted. “We’re not just buying time for Ukraine—we’re buying time for ourselves.”
As public opinion in some EU nations wavers, leaders like Sollfrank are making a moral and strategic case that transcends politics: defending Ukraine is defending Europe itself.
Sources
The New York Times: Senior German General Says Europe Must Do All It Can to Help Ukraine
