Former Ukraine top commander sees no path for Ukraine to join NATO

Ukraine's former top military commander, now serving as ambassador to the United Kingdom, said on Monday that the country has no realistic prospect of joining NATO despite its constitutional commitment to seek membership.

Valery Zaluzhnyi, speaking at a meeting of Ukrainian ambassadors, said Ukraine does not yet meet the military standards required to join the alliance, according to Ukrainian media outlet Evropeiska Pravda.

"I know NATO really well. For about 12 years, I personally worked on making sure we met NATO standards, and every year I heard tales about how we would join NATO any day now," Zaluzhnyi was quoted as saying.

"Unfortunately, we will never actually join."

Zaluzhnyi said Ukraine's armed forces still fall short of the alliance's requirements, arguing that NATO is guided by doctrines rooted in World War II while modern warfare demands more advanced capabilities.

He said Ukraine needs technologies already used by NATO member states, including missile defense systems, space capabilities, and other advanced military assets.

Ukraine has made membership in both NATO and the European Union a strategic goal under its constitution. However, Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that the country does not currently have unanimous support among NATO members for admission.

Zaluzhnyi was removed as Ukraine's top military commander last year following reported disagreements with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the conduct of the war against Russia, which is now in its fifth year. He was later appointed ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Public opinion surveys have consistently ranked Zaluzhnyi among Ukraine's most trusted public figures, alongside Zelenskyy and former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was dismissed last month. Zaluzhnyi's successor as commander-in-chief was also removed from the post last month.

Russia has consistently opposed any move toward Ukrainian membership in NATO, describing it as unacceptable. -Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Stephen Coates/Reuters