War in Ukraine, day 1,622. Zaluzhnyi: 'Ukraine will never join NATO'
Valerii Zaluzhnyi launched one of the harshest criticisms by a Ukrainian official against NATO, right during a meeting of ambassadors
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Summary
The general recalled that he worked for about 12 years to bring the Ukrainian army closer to Alliance standards, while Kyiv was reportedly told repeatedly that membership was getting closer. In his opinion, the Alliance might need another 12 years to adopt standards that would allow it to reach at least part of Russia's current military level. Since 2019, the country's Constitution establishes the irreversible nature of the European and Euro-Atlantic path, as well as the objective of obtaining full membership status in the European Union and NATO.
Furthermore, Ukraine is not a member of the structure, but concluded a strengthened partnership with JEF in November 2025. NATO membership, enshrined in Ukraine's Constitution Zaluzhnyi's statements do not change the official foreign policy direction of Ukraine. Moreover, he argued that his country's army, radically transformed by the war with Russia, no longer fits an organization that he says still operates on doctrines left over from the Second World War period.
In addition, In October 2024, during an intervention at Chatham House, the former commander argued that NATO membership was the main solution for Ukraine's long-term security and warned that the country's reconstruction would not be possible without credible guarantees against a new Russian aggression. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former supreme commander of the army and current ambassador of Kyiv to London, says Ukraine will never become a NATO member. "Stop believing in nonsense!" Valerii Zaluzhnyi launched one of the harshest criticisms made by a Ukrainian official against NATO.
Cross-referenced from 2 sources.
Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices
The general recalled that he worked for about 12 years to bring the Ukrainian army closer to Alliance standards, while Kyiv was reportedly told repeatedly that membership was getting closer.
reliability low1/2 sourcesIn his opinion, the Alliance might need another 12 years to adopt standards that would allow it to reach at least part of Russia's current military level.
reliability low1/2 sourcesSince 2019, the country's Constitution establishes the irreversible nature of the European and Euro-Atlantic path, as well as the objective of obtaining full membership status in the European Union and NATO.
reliability low1/2 sourcesUkraine is not a member of the structure, but concluded a strengthened partnership with JEF in November 2025.
reliability low1/2 sourcesNATO membership, enshrined in Ukraine's Constitution Zaluzhnyi's statements do not change the official foreign policy direction of Ukraine.
reliability low1/2 sourcesMoreover, he argued that his country's army, radically transformed by the war with Russia, no longer fits an organization that he says still operates on doctrines left over from the Second World War period.
reliability low1/2 sources
Reported detailssecondary facts, each attributed to its source
In October 2024, during an intervention at Chatham House, the former commander argued that NATO membership was the main solution for Ukraine's long-term security and warned that the country's reconstruction would not be possible without credible guarantees against a new Russian aggression.
according to G4MediaValerii Zaluzhnyi, former supreme commander of the army and current ambassador of Kyiv to London, says Ukraine will never become a NATO member. "Stop believing in nonsense!" Valerii Zaluzhnyi launched one of the harshest criticisms made by a Ukrainian official against NATO.
according to Gândul
Disputedincompatible versions — to verify
No factual contradiction detected between sources.
Framing by sidesame fact, different words — loaded terms highlighted
No notable framing divergence.
Blind spotwhat one side keeps silent
No blind spot detected: every side covers the same facts.
