Pentagon Hands Ukraine Aid Role to European Allies

The United States will relinquish command of the NATO headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, which coordinates military aid to Ukraine. Another NATO member state will take over leadership of the Security Assistance Group for Ukraine (SAG-U).

The transition is expected to take about a year and, according to NATO, will not disrupt ongoing support for Ukraine. The US EUCOM command will remain involved in the process through a deputy commander.

Based in Wiesbaden, the SAG-U has been coordinating the delivery of military equipment to Ukraine, the training of Ukrainian soldiers and logistical support since the start of the Russian invasion.

The Pentagon described the change as part of a division of responsibilities within the alliance and an alignment of US resources with the new defense strategy. NATO also emphasized that support for Ukraine remains a priority.

The move follows other decisions by President Donald Trump's administration, which has limited the number of US officers in NATO commands in Europe, is reassessing the deployment of troops on the continent and is calling on allies to increase defense spending.

A Ukrainian official described Europe's greater role as an advantage, as it reduces the risks associated with political changes in the United States. At the same time, he noted that US satellite intelligence, target acquisition and strategic airlift capabilities remain irreplaceable.

(Politico, bak)