Moscow –
President Russia Vladimir Putin asserted himself ‘not against’ the possibility Ukraine to join the block European Union. This confirmation was delivered after the European Commission recommended granting the status of a candidate member of the European Union to Kiev.
As reported AFPSaturday (6/18/2022), Putin made this assertion when speaking at Russia’s annual economic forum, the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, on Friday (17/6) local time.
“We are not against it. It is their sovereign decision to join the economic union or not… It is their business, the business of the Ukrainian people,” Putin said at the forum.
Russia continues invade Ukraine since last February 24, it is known to strongly oppose Ukraine’s desire to join the military alliance North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) led United States of America (US). Moscow considers NATO a threat to the security of its territory.
Putin showed a different attitude regarding Ukraine’s desire to join the European Union, which consists of 27 European countries.
“As far as their economic integration is concerned, it is their choice,” Putin said.
“The European Union is not a military alliance, unlike NATO,” he added.
However, Putin also believes that if Ukraine stays in the European Union in the future, its neighboring country will ‘turn into a semi-colony’ of Western countries. “That’s my opinion,” he said.
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