Valery Zaluzhnyi dismisses prospects of Ukraine joining NATO

Zaluzhnyi, who spent over a decade aligning Ukrainian forces with alliance protocols, described the recurring promises of imminent membership as mere tales. He argued that the Armed Forces of Ukraine remain tethered to outdated doctrines, leaving them unable to adopt the advanced anti-missile and space capabilities essential for full NATO participation. Although Ukrainian constitutional law formally mandates a path toward membership, this blunt assessment from the former commander highlights a growing disconnect between political aspirations and practical military reality.

His remarks surfaced as the leadership landscape in Kyiv remains in flux. Zaluzhnyi was removed from his post as commander-in-chief last year following strategic disagreements with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The administration has since seen further turnover, including the recent dismissal of his successor and the ousting of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. While Russia continues to reject the possibility of Ukrainian integration into the bloc, Zaluzhnyi’s comments underscore the significant internal hurdles that persist regardless of external diplomatic pressure.