The former chief of Ukraine's armed forces, Valery Zaluzhny, says his country, fighting Russian invasion since 2022, will "never" join NATO – despite Kyiv's intention to become a member of the military alliance. While some analysts suggest Zaluzhny is primarily seeking to highlight the alliance’s weaknesses, others say he is laying the groundwork for a presidential bid.
"I know NATO very well. For roughly 12 years I've personally worked on mastering NATO standards, and every year I've listened to the same fairytale that we're about to join," Zaluzhny said at a meeting of Kyiv's ambassadors on Monday.
"Unfortunately, we never will," he added, in comments quoted by Ukrainian news site European Pravda.
Zaluzhny, a popular figure, was sacked as commander-in-chief by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February 2024, and is now the Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom.
He said that "given the current level of development of the Ukrainian Armed Forces" it was impossible for Ukraine to join the alliance which, according to Zaluzhny, "adheres to doctrines dating from the Second World War".
Ukraine prides itself on its military industrial progress, particularly in drone technology, which it has developed extensively since Russia invaded the country in February 2022.
Official line
His statement stands in stark contrast to Kyiv's official line, whereby NATO membership remains a strategic objective enshrined in the Ukrainian constitution.
Political scientist Olexiy Haran says he is "surprised" by the former army chief’s comments.
"It is still Ukraine’s official objective, and I think it will remain so," he told RFI, adding that Ukrainians are nonetheless frustrated by the current situation with regards to membership.
"They are no longer certain that membership will materialise, but it remains their goal and they will do everything in their power to join NATO."
According to a poll published in April, nearly 69 per cent of Ukrainians are in favour of NATO membership.
Ruslan Bortnik, an expert on Ukrainian politics, echoed Haran's surprise. "It contradicts Ukraine’s official line. And it is very strange to hear such a statement from an ambassador appointed by the Ukrainian government," he told RFI.
Reliance on allies
For Haran, Zaluzhny’s comments could reflect his personal disappointment following years of cooperation with NATO – but could also be intended to serve as a wake-up call for Ukraine's Western allies.
"Perhaps he simply wanted to draw attention to the reality of the situation," he said. "If you cannot guarantee our security within NATO, if you are not even prepared to discuss it, then do what is actually necessary today to defend Ukraine. The West is doing a great deal and we appreciate it, but it is not enough."
In an opinion piece for UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph published last month, Zaluzhny said the war in Ukraine had "exposed uncomfortable questions about whether NATO is equipped for the conflicts of the 21st century".
Pointing out that "Ukraine's ability to sustain the war depends heavily upon continued backing from its allies", Zaluzhny acknowledged the importance of that support, but added that he believes the experience gained by the Ukrainian army now puts it ahead of several Western countries.
"Ukraine has every reason to appreciate the support NATO members have provided, and continues to provide. But respect for the alliance should not prevent an honest assessment of its shortcomings," Zaluzhny wrote.
Bortnik also posits that Zaluzhny is attempting to "put pressure on NATO" in order to draw its attention to Ukraine’s needs and secure further military and financial support.
Political long game
Bortnik also puts forward a more political hypothesis: by declaring NATO membership impossible, Zaluzhny could be seeking to align his position with that of United States President Donald Trump's administration, which opposes Ukraine’s accession to NATO in the near future.
This, he argues, could be a way of making himself more "acceptable" in Washington’s eyes ahead of possible peace negotiations with Russia.
Zaluzhny is frequently portrayed as a potential rival to Zelensky in Ukraine's next presidential election. And according to several Ukrainian media outlets, a June poll showed 73 percent of the public had confidence in him.
Haran remains cautious, however, regarding this interpretation.
As long as Ukraine is at war and under martial law, no presidential election can be held, and there is no indication that a campaign is imminent, making it difficult, he believes, to establish a direct link between Zaluzhny's statement and a future candidacy.
For Bortnik, however, it could enable Zaluzhny to begin building an international profile: that of a figure capable of engaging with Washington and, in the long term, of taking part in a negotiated settlement of the conflict.
'New security architecture'
Zaluzhny believes Kyiv will need to align itself with the new blocs and alliances emerging in Europe.
He cites the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) as a potentially effective mechanism. Led by the UK, it brings together 10 countries – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK itself.
This coalition operates outside NATO’s structures and focuses on strategic regions such as the Baltic, the North Sea, the Arctic and the North Atlantic.
Since November 2025, Ukraine has been its first external "enhanced partner". This status gives it access to intelligence sharing, joint exercises and regional planning. In return, Kyiv contributes its frontline experience, particularly with hybrid attacks, drones and long-range strikes.
However, Ukrainian media outlets have been quick to warn that the JEF provides for neither automatic collective defence, nor an obligation of mutual assistance comparable to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty.
Bortnik sees these discussions as a sign of a broader realignment.
“We are witnessing numerous attempts to create a new security architecture in Eastern Europe," he said. "There are ideas for smaller coalitions, bringing together European countries and the United Kingdom. Perhaps the aim is to create something new, complementary and specifically tailored to the Ukrainian crisis."
Zaluzhny’s statement remains a personal view and does not represent the position of the Ukrainian government. However, it has succeeded in raising questions over the future of Ukraine’s bid to join NATO, the search for alternative security guarantees, and the positioning of potential contenders to succeed Zelensky.
This article has been adapted from the original version in French by Sophia Khatsenkova.
