Ukraine Envoy Says “Not Going To Happen” After Zelenskyy Suggests Nuclear Armament

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggests nuclear armament as NATO membership delays persist, sparking a blunt response from retired Lt. General and Trump Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg.

Key Insights

Zelenskyy proposes nuclear weapons for Ukraine if NATO membership is delayed.
Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal in 1994 for security assurances, now violated by Russia.
Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, has expressed slim chances of Ukraine’s requests being granted.
NATO allies have been urged to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy is open to talks with Putin, but no face-to-face meeting has been arranged yet.

Zelenskyy’s Nuclear Proposition

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently stirred international waters by suggesting that Ukraine should be given nuclear weapons if NATO membership continues to be delayed. This statement comes in response to the ongoing security challenges faced by Ukraine and the perceived lack of concrete support from Western allies.

Zelenskyy’s proposal, which he also suggested in October 2024, reflects frustration with the current situation and a desire for stronger deterrents against Russian aggression. The Ukrainian leader criticized the country’s 1990s decision to relinquish its nuclear arsenal without stronger security guarantees, calling it “stupid” and “illogical.”

Historical Context and Security Guarantees

Ukraine’s nuclear considerations are rooted in its history. In 1994, the country gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances from Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States through the Budapest Memorandum. However, Russia’s actions have violated these assurances, leaving Ukraine vulnerable.

Zelenskyy recently stated that if the effort to join NATO “is protracted for years or for decades, then we have an absolutely just question: What will be defending us against this evil, for this whole time on this whole path?”

While Ukraine maintains that NATO membership remains the best security guarantee, the delays in this process have led to the exploration of alternative options.

International Reaction and U.S. Stance

The international community, particularly the United States, has responded cautiously to Zelenskyy’s nuclear proposition. Retired Lt. General Keith Kellogg, a former national security advisor and President Donald Trump’s current Ukraine envoy, stated bluntly that the chances of Ukraine regaining nuclear weapons are “somewhere between slim and none.”

This stance reflects the complexities of nuclear proliferation and the potential global implications of supporting such a move. Kellogg noted that Trump indicated the U.S. government is a “government of common sense,” and that rearming Ukraine in that way is “not going to happen.”

NATO’s Role and Future Considerations

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged increased support for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of deterring Russian aggression. Rutte warned that a Russian victory would be a costly geopolitical mistake for NATO allies.

The ongoing situation has put pressure on NATO countries, particularly the U.K. and Germany, to increase their defense spending. This is seen as crucial for maintaining the alliance’s credibility and readiness to respond to future challenges. As negotiations continue and the conflict persists, the international community faces the complex task of balancing Ukraine’s security needs with global stability concerns.