Nato decides to launch Ukraine command in Wiesbaden

In future, NATO will coordinate arms deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces from Wiesbaden. The heads of state and government of the member states decided to launch the mission at their summit in Washington, as the German Press Agency learned from alliance circles. It is scheduled to begin on Friday.

“The aim is to put security support for Ukraine on a permanent basis and thus ensure improved, predictable and coherent support,” says the summit declaration on the new command. It will also support the transformation of the Ukrainian defense and security forces and thus enable Ukraine’s further integration with NATO.

So far, the US has coordinated

The coordination of arms deliveries and training activities has so far been carried out primarily by the United States. At the end of 2022, the United States set up a unit of around 300 soldiers called Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U) at the European headquarters of the US armed forces in Wiesbaden, Hesse. Around 700 employees are now to be deployed for NATO, and Germany wants to provide up to 40 of them, including a two-star general as deputy commander.

The NATO project is also seen as a precaution in the event of a possible return of Donald Trump to the US presidency in January 2025. Statements by the Republican in the past had raised doubts as to whether the USA would continue to support Ukraine under his leadership in the defensive war against Russia as it has done so far. The alliance fears that a political change of course in Washington could also affect the coordination of arms deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces.

Hungary not involved in NATO project

Only Hungary will not be taking part in the operation. Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government fears that the alliance could be driven into a direct confrontation with Russia by the command called NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine). The summit declaration states: “The NSATU will not make NATO a party to the conflict in the sense of international law.”