The U.S. military has relinquished leadership of coordination for supplying Ukraine's armed forces, placing the "heavy burden" on the "European prince."

The Pentagon has stepped back from its leading role in the Ukraine Security Assistance Group, with the United States planning to transfer command authority to European allies. This move once again signals that the U.S. is reevaluating its involvement within NATO.

The Trump administration continues to reassess America’s role in alliances spanning decades. The U.S. Department of Defense has given up leadership of the German-based NATO command—previously led by the U.S.—which coordinates military aid to Ukraine. This marks another sign of America gradually distancing itself from its "closest" allies.

According to reports by American media outlet Politico, and three sources familiar with the plan, U.S. officials have revealed that the leadership of the Ukraine Security Assistance Group will be transferred to another NATO member country. Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, this group has played a critical role in providing supplies and training to Ukrainian forces.

At the same time, the U.S. Pentagon has reduced the number of American officers commanding troops in Europe and canceled multiple rotation cycles. Pentagon officials are reviewing the size and deployment of U.S. military forces in Europe and have warned European nations: if they do not increase defense spending, they cannot rely on U.S. assistance.

The Ukraine Security Assistance Group is based in Wiesbaden, Germany, and carries out specialized missions. It coordinates the delivery of military equipment to Ukraine and oversees training and supply logistics for Ukrainian soldiers. This decision aligns with an increasingly established trend: the U.S. is transferring more NATO command responsibilities to European countries. In February, the Trump administration announced plans to reduce the presence of senior U.S. military commanders in Europe.

The United Kingdom will be assigned to lead the NATO Joint Command headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia,

Italy will take charge of the NATO Joint Command located in Naples,

Germany and Poland will gain control over the NATO Joint Command based in Brussels,

The Netherlands: this institution, led by a German general, focuses on managing multinational forces.

U.S. Army Major General Curtiss Bazzard, who has served as head of the Ukraine Security Assistance Group since mid-2024, will step down next Monday. He will hand over power to U.S. Army Major General Guillaume Boppe, who will gradually reduce U.S. involvement in the program.

Some Ukrainian military officials are concerned that transferring command into the complex NATO bureaucracy could delay the delivery of aid to the front lines. Additionally, it may require coordination through NATO for U.S. capabilities in satellite reconnaissance, target designation, and heavy military transport logistics.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872400703333379/

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