Luxembourg Hosts NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe for Working Visit

On Monday 9 February 2026, Luxembourg's Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, received NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Alexus G. Grynkewich, in Luxembourg for a working visit.

General Grynkewich was welcomed at Senningen Castle by a guard of honour from the Luxembourg Army.

According to the Directorate of Defence and the Luxembourg Army, bilateral discussions between Minister Backes, the Chief of Staff of the Luxembourg Army, General Steve Thull, and General Grynkewich focused on the implementation of military capability objectives and the provision of the resources, forces and capabilities required to enable SACEUR to execute Euro-Atlantic defence plans.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to review Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which will soon enter its fifth year, and the military support provided by Luxembourg, the Allies and NATO.

At a press conference, Minister Backes outlined Luxembourg's contributions to NATO's deterrence and defence posture, stating: "Equitable burden-sharing is a fundamental principle of our Alliance. Stronger European allies mean a stronger NATO. Luxembourg will contribute to our joint effort, particularly through our future air and missile defence capabilities."

The visit also served as an opportunity to discuss the development of defence capabilities in the space domain. Minister Backes highlighted the August 2025 launch of the Earth observation satellite LUXEOSys, as well as the January 2026 adoption of the "GovSat-2" law, authorising the government to finance the acquisition, launch and operation of a satellite for government and military communications.

These discussions were further developed during a joint visit to Betzdorf, to SES and LuxGovSat, the public-private partnership and equal joint venture between SES and the Luxembourg government.