Ukraine's Top General Calls NATO Membership Prospects 'Fairy Tales'

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has expressed strong skepticism about Ukraine's prospects of joining NATO, describing them as "fairy tales." Speaking at a meeting of Ukrainian ambassadors in Kyiv, Zaluzhnyi stated that despite his 12 years of personal efforts to adopt NATO standards, the idea of imminent membership has always been a distant promise.

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I know NATO well. For about 12 years, I personally tried to get us to adopt NATO standards, and every year I listened to fairy tales that we would join NATO soon. Unfortunately, we will never join it.

Zaluzhnyi controversially asserted that Ukraine's military has surpassed NATO's capabilities, suggesting the alliance is still bound by outdated, World War II-era doctrines. He criticized NATO's effectiveness, even with the involvement of major powers like the UK and the US, and estimated it would take at least another 12 years for NATO to implement new standards and reach even half of Russia's military capacity. Despite his critique, Zaluzhnyi acknowledged Ukraine's need for NATO countries' technology, particularly in missile defense and space capabilities.

Instead of focusing on NATO, Zaluzhnyi proposed that Ukraine should explore and join new security alliances that are currently being formed. He specifically mentioned the possibility of a European military security bloc as a potential alternative. He also suggested that Ukraine's participation in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) could enhance its security, although he noted that the JEF's current command structures, established in 2015, are still weak and not yet at the level Ukraine requires.

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Most likely, NATO will not change for now and will still have to implement new standards for another 12 years to reach at least half of Russia's level in terms of capabilities.

Zaluzhnyi lamented that Ukraine has not yet pursued membership in the JEF, which currently lacks a collective defense system or mutual defense commitments among its members. Ten JEF countries have agreed to form joint naval forces to complement NATO's activities, and Ukraine has already joined an extended partnership agreement with the JEF. The general's remarks highlight a potential shift in Ukraine's strategic thinking regarding its security architecture, moving away from the long-held aspiration of NATO membership towards exploring alternative alliances.

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Ukraine will join new security alliances that are still being formed. It is likely that one of them will be a European military security bloc.