Valerij Zalužni, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK and a former commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, has expressed skepticism regarding the prospect of Ukraine becoming a member of NATO. During a meeting with other Ukrainian ambassadors in Kyiv, Zalužni reportedly conveyed that, despite extensive efforts to align with the alliance’s standards, formal membership may not materialize. According to reports from Ukrainian media, Zalužni stated that his twelve years of dedicated work aimed at achieving NATO compatibility standards have been met with repeated assurances that membership was near.
He conveyed a sense of disappointment, asserting that, “Unfortunately, this will never happen.”
While acknowledging the technological disparities between Ukraine and NATO member states, Zalužni pointed to specific needs, such as advanced ballistic missile defense systems currently possessed by the alliance. However, his comments suggested a shift in perspective regarding the ultimate goal. He indicated that, despite the perceived necessity of such external support, he now believes that full integration into the NATO structure may not be the definitive or sole solution for the nation’s future security architecture.
Topics: #ukrainian #nato #former
