BERLIN – NATO has officially assumed the coordination of Western military aid to Ukraine from the United States, as planned, a source confirmed on Dec 17. The move, delayed for several months, is seen as a strategic effort to safeguard the flow of support to Kyiv amid concerns over the incoming US administration under Donald Trump.
The newly established NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), based at Clay Barracks in Wiesbaden, Germany, is now fully operational. While this gives NATO a more direct role in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion, the alliance has stopped short of committing its own forces to the conflict.
The handover follows years of US-led coordination through the Ramstein group, an informal coalition of 50 nations providing military aid to Ukraine. However, NATO’s new role comes at a critical juncture, as the Trump administration, which takes office in January, has raised concerns about scaling back US support. Trump has criticized the cost of US military aid to Ukraine and hinted at swiftly ending the war, though without detailing his approach.
Diplomats acknowledge that despite NATO’s role, the alliance’s efforts remain vulnerable to US policy shifts, given America’s dominant contribution to Ukraine’s arms supply. The outgoing US administration is reportedly rushing to deliver as much military hardware to Kyiv as possible before Trump’s term begins.
NSATU will deploy approximately 700 personnel across its headquarters in Germany, NATO’s military headquarters in Belgium, and logistics hubs in Poland and Romania. The mission aims to provide structured and sustained support to Ukraine amid the ongoing war.
Russia, meanwhile, has condemned the increased military assistance, warning it heightens the risk of broader conflict. NATO allies maintain that continued support to Ukraine is crucial for defending sovereignty and maintaining European stability.