U.S. to Cede European Command to Unnamed NATO Country

The U.S. government has directed U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) to oversee the reorganization of the Security Assistance Group–Ukraine (SAG-U) and the transfer of its functions and responsibilities to an unnamed NATO member state.

USEUCOM issued a press release announcing the move.

According to the press release, the reorganization will not affect U.S. military assistance for Ukraine.

The restructuring is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of security assistance provided to Ukraine, transfer leadership of key elements of the mission to allied nations, and free up U.S. resources to address other global priorities.

“Allies have shown that they can take the lead in support of Ukraine’s defense,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, commander, USEUCOM. “SAG-U was always meant to be a temporary command. Its transition builds on the progress that we have already seen, helping to set conditions for lasting peace in Ukraine.”

On August 3, 2026, Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich welcomed the new commander of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) mission. Lt. Gen. Guillaume N. Beaurpere assumed command, succeeding Lt. Gen. Curtis A. Buzzard, who had led the mission since 2024.

NSATU is the NATO command responsible for coordinating the provision of military equipment and training to Ukraine by NATO Allies and partner countries.

“The reorganization of SAG-U does not diminish our support or commitment to Ukraine,” according to Col. Michael Weisman, U.S. Army Europe and Africa spokesperson. “We will continue providing support to Ukraine through coordination with USEUCOM and NSATU in alignment with U.S. policy.”

SAG-U

SAG-U was established on November 4, 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, to provide long-term security assistance to the country.

The headquarters is built around the U.S. Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps, which was initially deployed to Europe to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank. Its mission was later expanded to include coordinating the training and equipping of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Over the past four years, SAG-U has overseen the delivery of more than $2 billion in security assistance. It has also worked with allied nations to organize and strengthen their security support for Ukraine while serving as a leading coordinating body for Europe’s conventional defense.

SAG-U also provides U.S. and NATO institutions with lessons learned by sharing observations and analysis based on the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ battlefield experience.

The move aligns with a broader U.S. shift away from leading Europe’s defense efforts. In February, the Trump administration announced plans to withdraw part of its senior military leadership from the continent and transfer command of NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk, based in Norfolk, Virginia, to the United Kingdom.

In 2024, 34 countries participated in training Ukrainian troops under the SAG-U and EUMAM programs.