Valeriy Zaluzhny, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK and former head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stated on Tuesday that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO, despite the prolonged membership process. Speaking during a meeting with the UK ambassador in Kyiv, Zaluzhny asserted that the current military standards set by NATO are no longer suitable for the realities of modern warfare. Zaluzhny noted his personal efforts to integrate NATO standards into the Ukrainian military structure.
He stated, “I personally worked to implement NATO standards, and every year I heard stories that we will soon become members of NATO. Unfortunately, we will never join NATO.”
According to Zaluzhny, a primary obstacle to deeper integration is the outdated nature of existing NATO standards. He cited Denmark’s decision to expand its compulsory military service, making it three times longer, as evidence that global security paradigms are shifting.
Instead of pursuing membership in the existing alliance, Zaluzhny proposed that Ukraine should focus its future efforts on joining new European security alliances. His comments suggest a strategic pivot away from the established Western military framework. The statement emphasizes that for Ukraine to advance its security posture, adaptation to contemporary conflict realities requires a structural shift beyond the current guidelines provided by NATO.
Topics: #ukraine #nato #kyiv
