Ukraine's membership in NATO does not guarantee political protection, and the best option for ensuring security could be joining the European security system, which still needs to be created.
The Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom Valerii Zaluzhnyi stated this during a meeting with the community of the Ukrainian Catholic University.
"NATO is outdated both morally and physically. And, most likely, it will not give us any political protection," Zaluzhnyi noted.
He also expressed skepticism about the possibility of introducing a peacekeeping contingent from Western countries into the territory of Ukraine.
"The option of bringing some kind of contingent here also looks ghostly, in my personal opinion. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this doctrine was developed in the mid-90s: when cool guys were getting together there, they filmed videos there, and it was broadcast on CNN. The military guys, by the way, are now telling what kind of war it was. As soon as they show this video to a NATO soldier - not only will they lose their desire to serve, but also something else. Therefore, these are terrible things that they are unfortunately not ready for today," the Ambassador explained.
Zaluzhnyi believes that the best guarantee of security is Ukraine's own forces. However, in the future, the country could become part of the European security system, which still needs to be created.
The Ambassador emphasized that the basis of such a system could be the United Kingdom's Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).
"Unfortunately, as a military institution, NATO today has no power. Or if it does have this power, this power will end within a month," Zaluzhnyi is sure.
According to Zaluzhnyi, the Alliance built its military doctrine based on other conditions of war, which makes it ineffective in modern conflicts.
"NATO, unfortunately, serving the interests of mainly political members of the Alliance, built itself, in conditions of absolute democracy, absolute tolerance, a small doctrine that allows it to fight, two points: first - rebel groups, let's say, in Western Sahara. They can quickly deal with them. B - they can conduct some action in the Pacific Ocean, but away from the coast of Yemen, because they showed how they can fight - they don't fit there anymore," the Ambassador noted.
He also criticized the military-industrial complex of NATO countries, which, according to him, is interested in long-term expensive contracts for the production of aircraft carriers and F-35 aircraft, and not in a quick response to threats.
"The state owes them money for the air, because they have not done anything yet. And they will never go that way to somehow make themselves effective," Zaluzhnyi added.
According to Zaluzhnyi, the Baltic countries understand this very clearly. "They understand that there is no Article 5 there and never will be," he says.
Zaluzhnyi also commented on the attitude to this situation in Poland and Romania, which are directly facing the consequences of the war.
"Poland understands this, where our and Russian missiles periodically fall. Romania generally understands everything, but is silent. And sometimes it calls me, says: " Silence." I say: "Well, two Shaheds fell in Bordeaux near you. Why are you silent?" "Silence, he says, I beg you," said the Ambassador. According to Zaluzhnyi, this situation has arisen due to the physical and moral obsolescence of NATO weapons.
"And, most likely, apart from some political protection, it will not give us anything. The option of bringing some kind of contingent here looks just as illusory, in my personal opinion," Zaluzhnyi summed up.
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