Ukrainian commander says Ukraine will never join NATO

Ukraine’s former top military commander, Valery Zaluzhny, has publicly stated that the country will never join NATO, casting significant doubt on a core strategic goal enshrined in its constitution. Zaluzhny, who is now Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, made the remarks during a discussion on Euro-Atlantic integration at a meeting of Ukrainian ambassadors in Kyiv on Monday, August 3, 2026.

Zaluzhny, who was dismissed as commander-in-chief in 2024, cited his extensive experience working with the alliance. He said that for roughly 12 years he personally worked on mastering NATO standards, only to hear repeated promises of imminent membership that never materialized. He concluded that, unfortunately, Ukraine will never join. He argued that with the current level of development of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, it is impossible to integrate into an organization he described as adhering to doctrines from the Second World War. He expressed skepticism that NATO would reform, suggesting it would likely remain in its current form.

Despite this stark assessment, Zaluzhny acknowledged Ukraine’s continued dependence on allied support and technology. He noted that Ukraine needs...