Ukraine's envoy Zaluzhnyi casts doubt on NATO path amid leadership shake-up

Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has stated he no longer expects his country to gain NATO membership, calling previous assurances "tales" heard over twelve years. Speaking at a diplomatic conference in Kyiv, the former military commander urged Ukraine to prioritize alternative security arrangements.

The remarks coincided with key personnel decisions by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Security official Rustem Umerov was appointed to lead the Foreign Intelligence Service, while Ihor Klymenko took over as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

In a separate diplomatic development, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry cautioned French media outlets against quoting former presidential spokesperson Yulia Mendel, warning that her recent public comments could prove misleading.

Sources: Liga net, NV, Ukrainska Pravda