NATO takes charge of Poland’s air defense systems, crucial for supporting Ukraine, just days before Trump’s inauguration

NATO has officially taken control of air defense operations in Poland from the United States, just days prior to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, as confirmed by a NATO spokesperson. This transition raises concerns regarding the new administration’s stance on the alliance and its support for Ukraine.

Colonel Martin O’Donnell stated that NATO assumed command on Thursday and will assist in protecting logistics hubs in Poland essential for sustaining aid to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. This initiative is part of a larger strategy that has been developing for several months, aimed at redistributing the responsibility of supporting Ukraine from the US to European nations, particularly in light of uncertainties surrounding US backing under the Trump administration.

NATO allies are preparing for a potential reduction in US support for Ukraine over the coming year. Trump has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of aid to Ukraine and the US commitment to NATO. Although he has indicated a desire to end the conflict, he has not clarified whether his administration will maintain military assistance to Ukraine.

In anticipation of the leadership change, the US has been working to shift aid to Ukraine from a US-centric approach to a NATO-led framework, partly to insulate the support from potential changes under Trump, according to CNN.

O’Donnell noted, “That work is ongoing, with NATO shouldering more and more responsibility every day,” highlighting the evolving role of NATO in this context.

The Biden administration has aimed to position Ukraine as favorably as possible before the Trump administration takes office, both in military terms and for any future negotiations. On Thursday, the US announced a final military aid package of $500 million for Ukraine, marking the last expected contribution from the outgoing administration.

In the last month, NATO has gradually started to assume responsibilities from the US initiative aimed at supporting Ukraine, known as the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U), which managed the distribution of Western arms and equipment to Kyiv. The air defense systems in Poland, now under NATO’s command, play a crucial role in safeguarding the logistics centers that facilitate the delivery of these weapons.

Another vital component of the support for Ukraine has been the US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), which consists of around 50 nations that have provided military assistance to Ukraine.

On Thursday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin presided over the Biden administration’s final UDCG meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, urging participating nations to sustain the forum’s momentum. It remains uncertain whether the Trump administration will continue to lead the forum or if a European nation will take over the leadership.

“We must not stop now,” Austin emphasized during a press conference on Thursday. “The coalition to support Ukraine must not flinch. It must not falter. And it must not fail.”