The Kremlin stated on Tuesday that it is Ukraine’s sovereign right to decide whether it wants to join the European Union and that Moscow has no intention of dictating Kyiv’s approach to the matter.
The Kremlin refers to the official residence of the President of Russia, located in Moscow, Russia. It is a fortified complex that serves as the official workplace and residence of the Russian head of state.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the remarks during a press briefing when asked about the possibility of Ukraine joining the EU.
“This is the sovereign right of any country. We are talking about integration and economic integration processes. And here, of course, no one can dictate anything to any country, and we are not going to do that,” Peskov said.
However, Peskov clarified that Russia’s position differs when it comes to Ukraine joining military alliances. He emphasized that Moscow has a distinct stance on security-related issues involving defense or military alliances.
“There is a completely different position on security-related issues related to defense or military alliances,” Peskov stated.
The comments come amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, particularly following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for separatist movements in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has consistently expressed its desire to integrate more closely with Western institutions, including the EU and NATO, a move that has been met with strong opposition from Moscow.
While the Kremlin appears to take a more neutral stance on Ukraine’s potential EU membership, its opposition to Ukraine joining military alliances like NATO remains firm. The issue of Ukraine’s geopolitical orientation continues to be a major point of contention between Russia and the West, with implications for regional stability and international relations.
