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NATO takes over coordination of military aid to Ukraine from US — report

The source said the move is an attempt to safeguard the supply of armaments to Ukraine from a potential shift in sentiment in Washington under incoming President Donald Trump

LONDON, December 17. /TASS/. NATO has taken over the coordination of military aid to Ukraine from the US, Reuters reported, citing a source.

Although planned, the move came after a delay of several months, according to the report. It gives NATO a "more direct role in the war," while stopping short of sending its own forces to the conflict, Reuters said.

The source said the move is an attempt to safeguard the supply of armaments to Ukraine from a potential shift in sentiment in Washington under incoming President Donald Trump. However, diplomats acknowledged that the handover to NATO could have a limited effect as the US will still be able to wield huge influence over the supplies.

The decision for NATO to take over coordination of arms deliveries to Ukraine from the US-led Ramstein group was made at the alliance's summit in Washington in July. The NATO command for Ukraine in Wiesbaden was originally set to start operations at the end of October. The reason for the delay hasn’t been reported.

The new organization is called NATO's Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine mission and will employ about 700 staff. They will also be based at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and at logistics bases in Poland and Romania.

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