Major General Roberto Vergori (left), Adm. George Wikoff (middle) and Major General Özkan Ulutaş (right) salute during the NATO-led Kosovo Force Change of Command ceremony held Oct. 14 in Pristina, Kosovo.
NAPLES, Italy — Major General Özkan Ulutaş of Türkiye officially handed over command of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) to Major General Roberto Vergori of Italy during a change-of-command ceremony held on October 14, 2026 at the KFOR Headquarters in Pristina.
The Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Admiral George M. Wikoff, presided over the ceremony. Attendees included the President and Prime Minister of Kosovo, Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations Burcu San, members of the diplomatic and religious communities, and Allied flag and general officers.
Adm. George Wikoff pins a medal on Major General Özkan Ulutaş during the NATO-led Kosovo Force Change of Command ceremony held Oct. 14 in Pristina, Kosovo.
Adm. George Wikoff hands the guidon over to Major General Roberto Vergori during the NATO-led Kosovo Force Change of Command ceremony held Oct. 14 in Pristina, Kosovo.The ceremony marked an unprecedented milestone in KFOR’s history: Maj. Gen. Ulutaş became the first Allied officer to serve two terms as the mission’s commander. He first led KFOR from October 2023 to October 2024 before returning in October 2025.
In his remarks, Adm. Wikoff praised Maj. Gen. Ulutaş for his strategic vision, poise and proactive leadership throughout both tours.
The new Kosovo Force commander, Major General Roberto Vergori, addresses the audience in attendance at the KFOR Change of Command ceremony held Oct. 14, 2026 in Pristina, Kosovo.
“Ozkan saw this mission not for what it has been in the past, but what it could be in the future, driving KFOR to maximize its approach and implement change for the better,” said Adm. Wikoff. “He analysed the force disposition and identified opportunities for improvement, deploying KFOR personnel to different areas, and engaging delegations from all perspectives as equals. His outreach enhanced the relationship with the Kosovo Police and EU Rule of Law mission, building trust with these critical institutions.”
In his farewell remarks, Maj. Gen. Ulutaş thanked all troop-contributing nations for providing the mission’s greatest strength: its personnel. He also commended commanders, staff, soldiers and civilian employees for their service and professionalism, saying he was “immensely proud to have served alongside them, twice.”
Adm. Wikoff reflected on KFOR’s history and enduring mandate. The mission deployed on 12 June 1999 pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.
“The mandate was clear: establish, provide, and maintain a safe and secure environment for every individual in Kosovo, so all could pursue a peaceful life,” Adm. Wikoff said. “For over 27 years, men and women across 31 nations have proudly served this noble mandate with professionalism and poise under pressure. For over 27 years, KFOR men and women have served far from their homes, separated from their families to ensure better lives for people they often have never met. KFOR is indeed a noble mandate, because those serving within its ranks selflessly serve a mission larger than themselves…serving others.”
Adm. Wikoff noted that more than 100,000 service members have deployed in support of KFOR since 1999.
Major General Özkan Ulutaş (left), Adm. George Wikoff (middle) and Major General Roberto Vergori (right) salute during the NATO-led Kosovo Force Change of Command ceremony held Oct. 14 in Pristina, Kosovo.
The handover comes amid a generally stable security environment in Kosovo and continued improvement in the overall security situation.
In January 2026, NATO ended the additional deployment of reserve forces to KFOR after more than two years of continuous rotations. In June, NATO announced plans to gradually optimise KFOR’s posture over the following year to ensure the mission remains fit for purpose.
The adjustment is conditions-based and reversible should security developments require a change in approach. KFOR will retain the capabilities, readiness and flexibility needed to respond to changing conditions on the ground.
Adm. Wikoff welcomed Maj. Gen. Vergori to lead this next phase, highlighting his extensive operational experience. Maj. Gen. Vergori commanded the Italian Army’s Folgore Paratroopers Brigade from 2021 to 2023, whose personnel deployed in support of KFOR. The following year, he served as Head of Cabinet to the Italian Army Chief of Staff.
“Roberto is another in a long line of Italian Generals who have effectively led KFOR, and I have no doubt the future of our mission is in good hands,” Adm. Wikoff remarked.
Assuming command, Maj. Gen. Vergori emphasised continuity and KFOR’s enduring commitment to its mission.
“KFOR’s mission has not changed and neither has its dedication to all of the people living in Kosovo,” Maj. Gen. Vergori affirmed. “We remain deeply committed to fulfilling our mandate, based on UNSCR 1244 of 1999, with one overarching goal in mind: to ensure that KFOR continues to play its part in creating the right conditions for a future in which new generations can enjoy the full benefits of lasting peace, democracy, and prosperity.”
NATO has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing a security vacuum in Kosovo. Through regular patrols, community engagement and joint exercises, KFOR remains focused on fulfilling its mandate impartially and in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), which serve as the primary and secondary security responders, respectively.