NATO sets up its base in Wiesbaden.
The U.S. has been delivering weapons to Ukraine, but a change in power in Washington could jeopardize these efforts. NATO is preparing to take over control if Trump wins re-election. NATO plans to establish a headquarters in Germany for managing weapons deliveries and training activities for Ukrainian forces. Wiesbaden has been selected as the location. Currently, the U.S. troops in Europe handle these tasks. The mission will be led by a three-star general who will report directly to the NATO commander in Europe.
The NATO plan for this new mission was given the green light by the North Atlantic Council on Thursday, and later confirmed by the defense ministers. The Americans had set up a 300-person unit called the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U) at the European headquarters of the U.S. forces in Wiesbaden by the end of 2022. This NATO project is designed as a precaution in case Trump becomes president again in 2025.
Hungary won't be involved in this project. Trump's past statements lead to concerns about whether the U.S. would continue supporting Ukraine in their war against Russia. The alliance believes that a political shift in Washington could also impact how arms are delivered and troops trained. Hungary won't be participating in the new NATO project. Fearing NATO might provoke a confrontation with Russia, the Orban government is refusing to join.
Many NATO countries were hesitant about supporting Ukraine two years ago. However, opinions have shifted, and most NATO nations now view the risks as manageable. To prevent Hungary from blocking the necessary consensus for the project, they've promised not to require financial or personnel contributions from the country. The project is currently being called "Nato Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine" (NSATU) internally. "Nato Mission Ukraine" was the preferred name previously, but it was abandoned because German officials worried it could be misinterpreted as NATO sending soldiers to Ukraine.
At this point, preparations for the project can begin. Officially, it should start in July during the summit of the federal chancellor and the other 31 NATO leaders in Washington.
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NATO's plan to establish a headquarters in Germany for managing weapons deliveries and training activities for Ukrainian forces is a direct response to the Ukraine conflict. This new mission, known as "Nato Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine" (NSATU), will be based in Wiesbaden, the location where U.S. troops in Europe currently handle these tasks. The attack on Ukraine remains a significant concern for NATO, prompting the alliance to prepare for potential future scenarios.
