The Pentagon will stop leading the Wiesbaden-based Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U), according to Politico, which cited a U.S. official and three people familiar with the Defense Department's plans.
The group will be led by another NATO member country, though which one was not specified. The leadership transition could take up to a year, but sources said it would not interrupt the group's work, as "support for Ukraine remains a top priority."
The Pentagon said SAG-U was originally conceived as a temporary structure. The department described the leadership transfer as part of a broader effort to "redistribute the burden within the alliance," aligning with the new U.S. defense strategy. After the change, U.S. European Command will retain a role in the group through an American deputy.
A NATO official said handing command to a European or Canadian officer would be another example of allies taking on more responsibility. Alliance members generally supported the decision, noting that a stronger European role seemed logical.
A Ukrainian official told the outlet that for Kyiv, the move "reduces risks that could arise from political turbulence in the United States and eases military logistics in Ukraine's interests." However, he noted that no ally "can replace U.S. satellite reconnaissance, target designation, and heavy transport aviation logistics capabilities."
Lt. Gen. Curtis Buzzard, who led SAG-U since mid-2024, will retire on Monday. He will be succeeded by Lt. Gen. Guillaume Beaupère, who will oversee the drawdown of U.S. involvement.
Sources differ: Politico reports the Pentagon's plans to transfer command, while The Moscow Times adds that some in Kyiv fear slower deliveries to the front line due to NATO's complex bureaucratic structure. A Ukrainian official quoted by Politico also expressed concern about the future potential of Western military support for Ukraine, while another source called the step a reduction of risks from U.S. political instability.