Zaluzhny Says Russia Countered Nearly All NATO Weapons, Urges New Standards
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Post · Aug 6
Zaluzhny Says Russia Countered Nearly All NATO Weapons, Urges New Standards
3 articles · Updated · Kyiv Post · Aug 6
Summary
Kyiv remarks from Valerii Zaluzhny sharpened his earlier NATO comments: he said Russia has developed countermeasures to nearly every major Western weapon Ukraine has used, leaving that arsenal “exhausted.”
2026 battlefield experience drove that warning, he said, noting Ukraine has employed virtually every weapon type except systems such as Tomahawks, nuclear arms, aircraft carriers and F-35s.
Zaluzhny insisted he still backs NATO and said Ukraine’s military has outgrown the alliance’s doctrine, arguing NATO must adopt entirely new standards before Ukraine can realistically join.
The former commander also renewed his call for a new Europe-centered security bloc after criticism over his Aug. 3 remark that Ukraine would “never” join NATO; Kyiv later said that comment was taken out of context.
His intervention lands as Europe debates more autonomous defense structures and as Zaluzhny is increasingly mentioned as a possible presidential candidate if elections are held this fall.