US to relinquish leadership of NATO mission coordinating military aid to Ukraine

The Pentagon plans to hand over leadership of the NATO mission coordinating military assistance to Ukraine to another alliance member, marking the latest step in a broader shift in the United States' role within the transatlantic alliance, US officials and sources familiar with the plan told Politico.

The Security Assistance Group, based in Wiesbaden, Germany, has played a central role in coordinating military equipment deliveries, logistics and training for Ukrainian forces since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

According to the sources, another NATO member will eventually assume command of the mission, although the transition is expected to take up to a year. The move is not expected to interrupt support for Ukraine, and the US European Command will remain involved through an American deputy commander.

The change means the United States will no longer lead efforts to shape the development of Ukraine's future armed forces through the multinational programme.

The decision follows a series of broader changes in US policy toward NATO under President Donald Trump, including reducing the number of American officers assigned to commands in Europe, cancelling some military rotations and reviewing the deployment of US troops on the continent. Washington has also urged European allies to increase defence spending, warning that future US support will depend on greater burden-sharing.

According to the report, NATO allies have generally welcomed the planned transfer of leadership, arguing that Europe should assume greater responsibility for regional security.

However, some Ukrainian officials have expressed concern that placing the mission under NATO's broader institutional framework could slow the delivery of military assistance to the battlefield.

“No one can replace American satellite reconnaissance, target designation and logistics capabilities of U.S. heavy transport aircraft.”

The Security Assistance Group serves as NATO's primary mechanism for coordinating the flow of military equipment into Ukraine while overseeing logistics and training support for the country's armed forces.

By Sabina Mammadli