Pentagon shifts Ukraine aid command to NATO as allies take greater responsibility

The United States is set to transfer command of the Germany-based Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U) to NATO, as allies increasingly assume greater responsibility, according to Politico. SAG-U, which coordinates military aid to Ukraine, has been directed by the Pentagon until now. "Appointing a European or Canadian officer to the command position... will be another example of allies taking on greater responsibility," a NATO official told Politico.

The transition, which could take up to a year, will not hinder SAG-U's ongoing work with Ukraine. U.S. European Command will continue to be involved through an American deputy commander. The Pentagon stated that SAG-U was initially a temporary measure aimed at redistributing responsibilities within the alliance to support Ukraine and align U.S. resources with the National Defense Strategy.

Army Lt. Gen. Curtis Buzzard, who has commanded SAG-U since mid-2024, will retire on August 3 and pass the baton to Army Lt. Gen. Guillaume Beaurpere, who will oversee the U.S. mission until its conclusion. The group, based in Wiesbaden, Germany, has been instrumental in equipping and training Ukrainian troops since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion.

The U.S. decision to relinquish command of this crucial European program highlights the growing distance between Washington and its European partners. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in June that the United States is reviewing its troop levels in Europe and has criticized NATO allies for not taking on more security responsibilities.

In July, Deputy Defense Secretary Elbridge Colby announced that the U.S. had started reviewing its posture in Europe, determining the number of U.S. troops and military resources on the continent.