---
title: "“Ukraine Can Replace Part of America’s Capabilities in NATO”: Head of Kyiv’s Mission to the Alliance Reveals the Prospects"
description: "Alona Hetmanchuk, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO, stated that Kyiv is capable, in the long term, of replacing part of the defensive capabilities currently provided by the US, within the framework of discussions about “NATO 3.0.”"
date: 2026-09-07T05:46:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-nato-replace-american-capabilities-hetmanchuk-en
tags: [ukraine, nato, defense, european-security, military, patriot]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# “Ukraine Can Replace Part of America’s Capabilities in NATO”: Head of Kyiv’s Mission to the Alliance Reveals the Prospects

![Head of Ukraine's mission to NATO speaking at a podium with a microphone against a green backdrop](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/07/ukraina-nato-zamena-amerikanskikh-vozmozhnostey-getmanchuk/ukraina-nato-zamena-amerikanskikh-vozmozhnostey-getmanchuk-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Hetmanchuk stated that Ukraine can not only strengthen but also replace some of America’s defensive capabilities in NATO
- The statement was made against the backdrop of discussions about the “NATO 3.0” concept — a more European Alliance
- Kyiv is positioning itself as a contributor to security, not merely a recipient of aid
- Western headquarters are using Ukraine’s combat experience; NATO is supplying interceptors for Patriot systems

Alona Hetmanchuk, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO, stated that in the long term Ukraine is capable not only of strengthening the Alliance’s defensive capabilities but also of replacing some of those currently provided by the United States. She said this while commenting on the ongoing discussions about the future of NATO’s security architecture, as reported by RBC-Ukraine. In her words, recognizing Ukraine at the level of the Alliance’s declaration as a contributor to security shows that NATO member states see the real potential of Ukraine’s military capabilities to strengthen the organization as a whole.

### The Context of “NATO 3.0” and European Defence Autonomy

Hetmanchuk noted that the issue is taking on particular significance against the backdrop of growing discussions about so-called “NATO 3.0” — the concept of a more “European” Alliance in which the continent assumes a greater share of responsibility for its own security. In this context, Washington, in her words, is specifying exactly which capabilities it will continue to provide for Europe’s defence under the NATO Force Model and which it will not. It is precisely this “fork in the road” that creates room for Kyiv to offer its own solutions as a full-fledged element of collective defence, rather than solely as an object of support.

### From Recipient of Aid to Contributor to Security

“In NATO today we hear a great deal about how we could not only strengthen one or another of the Alliance’s defensive capabilities but, in the long term, even replace some of them,” RBC-Ukraine quotes Hetmanchuk as saying. She emphasized: “We can not only strengthen NATO’s European capabilities but, in the long term, replace some of the American ones.” This statement marks a qualitative shift in Kyiv’s rhetoric: Ukraine is positioning itself not as a country awaiting military aid, but as an active producer of defence solutions capable of being integrated into the Alliance’s overall architecture.

### Combat Experience and Patriot Interceptors: The Practical Basis of the Arguments

In an earlier speech at the same venue, Hetmanchuk explained how exactly Ukraine’s role in the Alliance is changing and what support NATO is providing to Kyiv, including through the supply of interceptors for Patriot air defence systems. She separately pointed out that Western military headquarters are actively using Ukraine’s combat experience — both in operational planning and in developing doctrines to counter modern threats. It is precisely this accumulated experience, in Kyiv’s logic, that becomes the basis for Ukrainian solutions to be regarded as a competitive alternative or complement to American defence products and services.

### A “Mental Break” in NATO and Recognition of a New Role

Previously, Hetmanchuk described a “mental break” that has occurred within the Alliance in its attitude toward Ukraine: from viewing Kyiv solely as a beneficiary of aid to recognizing it as a full-fledged partner in ensuring security. The Ukrainian side, as the statements indicate, expects NATO to formally enshrine this new role — not merely declaratively, but institutionally, with concrete mechanisms for integrating Ukraine’s defensive capabilities into the structure of the Alliance. DW and UNIAN confirm in their reporting that Kyiv is deliberately seeking recognition of its contribution to Europe’s security as an equal contributor, not merely a recipient.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Ukraine Can Replace Some American Capabilities in NATO, Says Hetmanchuk](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayina-mozhe-zaminiti-deyaki-amerikanski-1788759886.html) - Прямая цитата Гетьманчук, полный контекст заявления, упоминание NATO Force Model и «НАТО 3.0»
- [A “Mental Break” Has Occurred in NATO’s Attitude Toward Ukraine: NATO Ambassador Reveals Details](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/nato-vidbuvsya-mentalniy-zlam-shchodo-ukrayini-1788759392.html) - Прямая цитата Гетьманчук, полный контекст заявления, упоминание NATO Force Model и «НАТО 3.0»
- [Ukraine Expects NATO to Recognize Its New Role in Security](https://www.dw.com/ru/ukraina-zdet-ot-nato-priznania-ee-novoj-roli-v-bezopasnosti/a-77810359) - Независимое подтверждение того, что Киев добивается формального признания новой роли в Альянсе
- [Not Just a Recipient of Aid: Ukraine Wants NATO to Recognize Its New Role](https://www.unian.net/politics/nato-ukraina-hochet-chtoby-v-alyanse-priznali-ee-novuyu-rol-v-obespechenii-bezopasnosti-13429611.html) - Подтверждает нарратив о переходе от статуса получателя помощи к статусу контрибутора безопасности

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Who stated that Ukraine can replace part of America’s capabilities in NATO?
**A:** This statement was made by Alona Hetmanchuk, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO, while commenting on the discussions about the future of the Alliance.

### Q: What is “NATO 3.0” and what does Ukraine have to do with it?
**A:** “NATO 3.0” is a discussed concept of a more “European” Alliance in which Europe assumes a greater share of defence responsibility. In this context, the US is determining which capabilities it will continue to provide and which it will not, which opens up room for Ukrainian defence solutions.

### Q: What does the status of “contributor to security” mean for Ukraine?
**A:** It is recognition at the level of a NATO declaration that Ukraine is making an active contribution to the security of the Alliance, rather than being solely a recipient of aid. Hetmanchuk noted that this status reflects the member states’ view of the potential of Ukraine’s capabilities.

### Q: What practical support is NATO providing to Ukraine in the defence sphere?
**A:** According to Hetmanchuk, NATO is providing Kyiv with support, including through the supply of interceptors for Patriot air defence systems. Western military headquarters are also using Ukraine’s combat experience in operational planning.