Valery Zaluzhny states Ukraine will never join NATO

Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine's former commander-in-chief and current ambassador to the United Kingdom, stated on August 3, 2026, that Ukraine will never become a member of NATO. Speaking at a meeting of Ukrainian ambassadors in Kyiv, Zaluzhny remarked that despite years of efforts to meet the alliance's standards, several member states, led by the United States, remain fundamentally opposed to Ukraine's accession.

Zaluzhny, who led Ukrainian forces during the first two years of the Russian invasion that began in 2022, argued that NATO has become outdated in its approach to modern warfare. He claimed that after four and a half years of conflict, the Ukrainian military has evolved into a more modern fighting force than the alliance itself, particularly through its use of drones and advanced technologies. Despite his skepticism regarding membership, the general acknowledged that Ukraine still requires military support and technological assistance from alliance countries.

The former commander noted that he had spent nearly twelve years working to align Ukrainian military practices with NATO specifications, only to be met with repeated assurances that never materialized into formal membership. His comments reflect growing disillusionment regarding the country's long-standing geopolitical objective of integration with the Western military bloc.