Ukraine’s former commander-in-chief and current ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valery Zaluzhny, says Ukraine will never join NATO. Speaking at a gathering of top diplomats in Kyiv, he argues that Ukraine cannot become part of an alliance whose policies, in his view, remain shaped by outdated ideas associated with the Second World War. He links the assessment to the current capabilities and readiness of Ukraine’s armed forces, maintaining that NATO membership is not a realistic option under present conditions. Rather than pursuing accession, Zaluzhny urges Ukraine to seek other forms of security guarantees. Both reports describe his position as categorical, presenting it as a departure from expectations of future membership and shifting focus toward alternative arrangements for protection and deterrence. The statements reflect Zaluzhny’s personal assessment of NATO’s doctrine and the practical constraints facing Ukraine, as he advocates for different security pathways while tensions related to the war continue.