Peak declaration - Nato decides on start of Ukraine command in Wiesbaden
The Nato will coordinate weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian forces from Wiesbaden, Germany, in the future. The heads of state and government of the member states decided on this new command during their summit in Washington, as reported by the German Press Agency from alliance circles. It is set to begin on Friday.
The goal is to establish long-term security support for Ukraine and thus provide improved, predictable, and consistent support. The transformation of the Ukrainian defense and security forces will also be supported by this, allowing for further integration of Ukraine with Nato.
Previously coordinated by the USA
The coordination of weapons deliveries and training activities was previously led by the United States. They had built up a unit with approximately 300 soldiers, named Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U), at the US European Command headquarters in Wiesbaden, Hesse, at the end of 2022. For Nato, there are now expected to be around 700 personnel in action, with Germany planning to contribute up to 40 personnel, including a two-star general as deputy commander.
The Nato project is also seen as a precaution for the possibility of a return of Donald Trump to the US Presidency in January 2025. Statements from the Republican raised doubts in the past about whether the US would continue to support Ukraine in the defensive war against Russia under his leadership as they have done before. The alliance fears that a political course change in Washington could also affect the coordination of weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces.
Hungary not participating in Nato project
Only Hungary will not be participating in this mission. The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban fears that the alliance through the command with the name NSATU (Nato Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine) could be driven into a direct confrontation with Russia. In the Gipfelerklärung, it is stated: "The NSATU will not make a conflict party from Nato in a legal sense."
- The future coordination of weapons deliveries and training activities for Ukrainian forces will be managed from Wiesbaden, Germany, within the framework of NATO, replacing the previous leadership by the United States.
- The decision to shift responsibility from the United States to NATO was made during the heads of state and government summit in Washington, with the goal of providing long-term security support to Ukraine.
- Despite Hungary's refusal to participate in the NSATU mission, German forces will contribute up to 40 personnel, including a two-star general as deputy commander, to the project, aiming to support Ukraine's transformation and integration with NATO.
- The change in leadership and the establishment of NSATU is partly driven by concerns about the potential return of Donald Trump to the United States Presidency in 2025, as past statements from the Republican raised questions about continued support for Ukraine against Russia.
