WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS — The President Donald Trump has quietly confirmed that he will appoint a U.S. general to the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), a key NATO role traditionally held by the United States since World War II. This decision, according to several sources close to the matter, is aimed at reassuring European allies as questions about the U.S. commitment to the transatlantic alliance multiply.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich is expected to be officially nominated in the coming days to succeed Gen. Christopher Cavoli, who has overseen Western military aid to Ukraine since the 2022 Russian invasion. Grynkewich, currently director of operations on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, would also assume leadership of U.S. European Command (EUCOM).
Trump personally communicated his decision to the NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, during a private exchange, according to a Western official. Neither the White House, the Pentagon, nor NATO have commented on this information at this stage.
Maintaining an American at the helm of NATO is a direct response to the concerns of allies, as well as those expressed by Republican lawmakers. In March, the heads of the congressional committees responsible for overseeing the Pentagon issued an unusual joint statement warning of a possible US withdrawal from NATO's command structure.
Since his re-election, Trump has consistently urged Europeans to increase their military spending and take greater responsibility for their own defense. Internal discussions within his administration even considered assigning the SACEUR position to a European general, which would have marked a historic break.
While this option has now been ruled out, the idea of a partial redeployment of the approximately 80 American troops stationed in Europe remains under consideration. "President Trump will not let anyone turn Uncle Sam into an 'Uncle Pigeon,'" Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared in February during a visit to NATO headquarters.
The decision to maintain US command at the helm of NATO may, however, be only temporary. Washington continues to consider a strategic refocusing on Asia and internal defense. But for now, the continued US military leadership in Europe represents a reassuring signal for an alliance still under pressure, as the war in Ukraine drags on and geopolitical balances remain uncertain.
