Ukrainian former top military commander Valery Zaluzhnyi has publicly stated that security guarantees for his country should include NATO membership or the placement of nuclear weapons on its territory. This op-ed, published in The Telegraph on Saturday following his official role as ambassador to London, outlines ambitions far exceeding what Russia is prepared to accept.
However, US Senator Lindsey Graham described these proposals as “unreasonable.” Responding directly to Zaluzhnyi’s piece, Graham asserted that the demanded arrangements are “far beyond what is possible,” even going so far as to condemn them in his own terms. He stated unequivocally: “It is imperative at this critical time… including accession into NATO and placing nuclear weapons in Ukraine.”
The former president Zelenskiy himself has also publicly supported the idea of effective security guarantees for Ukraine that could involve such measures.
While European countries like France have indicated they might send a large allied military contingent or even deploy nuclear capabilities as part of peacekeeping, the United States has ruled out both admitting Ukraine into NATO and sending American troops directly to the country. This stance aligns closely with Graham’s assessment.
Russia insists on Ukraine halting its bid for NATO membership in favor of neutrality but rejects any security guarantees involving Western military forces or the potential stationing of nuclear weapons. The Kremlin views such proposals as unacceptable and potentially leading to a war if implemented.
