Zaluzhnyi Urges Ukraine to Abandon NATO Hopes, Form New Alliances
Former Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said Kyiv should stop expecting NATO membership and instead build alternative security partnerships, calling past promises 'fairy tales'.
Former commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has dismissed NATO membership as an unattainable goal for Kyiv. In remarks reported on social media, he stated that he listened to 'fairy tales' about imminent accession every year, but now believes Ukraine will 'never join' the alliance.
Zaluzhnyi argued that the country should shift its strategy away from relying on NATO admission and instead focus on forging new security alliances. The comments signal growing frustration among some Ukrainian officials with the slow pace of the membership process.
The statement comes amid ongoing debates over Ukraine's long-term security architecture and the future of Western military support. Zaluzhnyi, who led the military during much of the war with Russia, remains an influential voice in defense circles.
Source: First Squawk