Summit in Washington - Ukraine-Help: Beginning of NATOCommand build-up in Hesse
The setup of the new NATO-Ukraine Command in Wiesbaden is beginning. The start date for the deployment to coordinate weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian forces is this Friday, according to alliance representatives on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. However, the commander for Europe is expected to take several more months to establish the command so that it can take on all planned tasks. Until then, US forces will continue to assume coordination responsibilities.
NATO countries plan to mobilize at least 40 billion Euros for military aid for Ukraine within the next year.
The heads of state and government of NATO countries decided on the deployment's start at their annual meeting in Washington on Wednesday. It is also intended to be a provision for the possibility of a return of Donald Trump to the US Presidency as of January 2025. Republican statements in the past have raised doubts about whether the US would continue to support Ukraine in the defensive war against Russia under his leadership as before. In the alliance, it is expected that a political course change in Washington could also affect the coordination of weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces.
This task has been led by the United States so far. They built up a roughly 300-strong unit called Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U) at the end of 2022 in the Europa-Hauptquartier of the US Armed Forces in the Hessian Wiesbaden. For NATO, there should now be around 700 employees in the deployment, with Germany providing around 40, including a Two-Star General as deputy commander. In addition to the NATO headquarters in Wiesbaden, there will also be outposts in Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, as well as a team in Mons in Belgium. The commander of the NATO forces in Europe, Christopher G. Cavoli, has his seat there.
NATO representatives emphasized on Thursday in Washington that the new NATO Command with the name NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine) will not replace the Ukraine Contact Group (UDCG). In the usual format led by US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin, representatives from countries supporting Ukraine militarily discuss. It is also known as the Ramstein Group.
NATO website for the summit [https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_189551.htm]
- The new NATO-Ukraine Command is being established in the city of Wiesbaden, which is located in the German federal state of Hesse.
- The start date for the deployment of the NATO-Ukraine Command in Wiesbaden is this Friday, with the primary responsibility being coordinating weapons deliveries and training activities for Ukrainian forces.
- The commander for Europe is expected to take several months to establish the NATO-Ukraine Command, allowing it to take on all planned tasks effectively.
- NATO countries have pledged to mobilize at least 40 billion Euros for military aid to Ukraine within the next year, with the coordination of these activities heavily influenced by the United States.
- The heads of state and government of NATO countries made the decision to deploy the NATO-Ukraine Command at their annual meeting in Washington, expressing concerns about the potential return of Donald Trump as US President in 2025.
- The United States has led this task so far, establishing a 300-strong Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U) unit in Wiesbaden towards the end of 2022.
- The NATO-Ukraine Command, named NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine), will not replace the Ukraine Contact Group (UDCG), which is led by US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin in the usual Ramstein Group format.
- Despite the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Command, conflicts between Ukraine and Russia continue to persist, with NATO representatives emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong military response to any potential threat.
