Politico: The Pentagon will abandon the leadership of the coordination of supplies to the Armed Forces
The Pentagon has relinquished its leadership role in the Security Assistance Group for Ukraine, Politico writes. The United States intends to transfer command to European allies. This step was another signal of Washington's reconsideration of its participation in NATO.
Paul McLeary
Jack Detch
The administration of Donald Trump continues to review the role of the United States in the decades-old alliance.
The Pentagon refuses to lead the NATO command in Germany, which is headed by the United States and which coordinates military assistance to Ukraine. This was another sign of Washington's gradual estrangement from its closest allies.
Over time, the leadership of the Ukraine Security Assistance Group will be transferred to another NATO country. This was reported by an American official and three sources familiar with the plan. Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, this structure has played a key role in supplying and training the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The US refusal to lead one of the most important NATO programs in Europe shows how much Washington is distancing itself from its European partners.
After the transfer of command, the United States will no longer be involved in determining the future structure of the Ukrainian army. This move continues a series of changes that the Donald Trump administration is pursuing in the multi-year alliance.
The Pentagon has reduced the number of American officers leading troops in Europe, as well as canceled several rotations. Officials are reviewing the number and deployment of American troops on the continent and warning European countries that they will not be able to count on U.S. assistance unless they increase defense spending.
"The transfer of command of NATO forces to a European or Canadian officer will be another example of how allies assume more responsibility," said a NATO spokesman. Like other interlocutors of the publication, he spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan has not yet been officially made public.
The leadership change could take up to a year, the sources said, but stressed that this process would not interfere with efforts to support Ukraine: Although NATO would lead the program, the European Command of the US Armed Forces would continue to participate in the initiative through the American Deputy commander.
"Support for Ukraine remains our top priority," the NATO representative said.
The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment.
The Security Assistance Group for Ukraine is based in Wiesbaden, Germany, and performs a special task. She coordinates the supply of military equipment to Ukraine, as well as supervises the training of Ukrainian military personnel and their logistical support.
This decision fits into the already familiar pattern: the United States is increasingly transferring NATO commands to European countries.
In February, the Trump administration announced that it would reduce the presence of some of the top US military leadership in Europe. The United Kingdom was to lead the NATO Joint Command in Norfolk, Virginia, and Italy was to lead the NATO Joint Command in Naples. Germany and Poland have gained control of the NATO Joint Command in Brunsum, the Netherlands: this structure, led by a German general, specializes in managing multinational forces.
After these statements, the United States withdrew ground brigades from Romania and Poland, which were stationed there on a rotational basis. Later, Trump reversed the decision to withdraw troops from Poland, but their deployment has not yet resumed.
Lieutenant General of the US Army Curtis Buzzard, who headed the Security Assistance Group for Ukraine in mid-2024, will leave his post on Monday. He will transfer authority to Lieutenant General Guillaume Beauper of the US Army, who will gradually curtail American participation in the project.
The structure was created at the NATO summit in Washington in July 2024. Initially, it was assumed that over time, the leadership would move to European countries. However, given the political situation in Washington and Trump's continuing negative attitude towards Europe and NATO, another reduction in American participation deserves attention.
In general, NATO allies supported the transfer of command. Some of them note that the expansion of Europe's role seems logical.
"For us, this step has more advantages than disadvantages," the Ukrainian official said. "It reduces the risks associated with political instability in the United States and simplifies military logistics in the interests of Ukraine."
At the same time, some officials in Kiev fear that the inclusion of the command in the complex bureaucratic system of NATO could slow down the delivery of aid to the front line.
"No one can replace the American capabilities of satellite reconnaissance and targeting, as well as the logistical capabilities of heavy military transport aircraft of the United States," the official said.
Nevertheless, the Trump administration continues to implement its plan. Speaking to NATO defense ministers in Brussels last month, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that American allies "must take on more responsibility."
"Trump has been very clear about this for many years, under two administrations," Hegseth continued. — For too long, the alliance has remained a paper tiger, and the relations within it have been a one-way game. It won't go on like this anymore."
