Moscow “won’t dictate anything” to Kyiv, unless it’s related to military alliances.
Ukraine has a sovereign right to join the European Union, but this “sovereignty” does not apply to military alliances, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
In June 2024, Kyiv and Brussels formally opened accession negotiations for it to join the bloc.
When asked about this prospect on Tuesday, Peskov said: “We are talking about processes of economic integration. Here, of course, no one can dictate anything to another country, and we are not going to do that.”
Next month will mark three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in which it has deliberately targeted critical infrastructure, caused mass civilian casualties and repeatedly struck schools and hospitals.
The apparent support for Kyiv’s self-determination comes as the United States and Russia host bilateral talks on Ukraine’s future, without Ukrainian representatives at the negotiating table.
Peskov added that this stance does not apply to Ukraine’s involvement in military alliances — as Ukraine’s desire to join NATO is seen as a clear threat in the eyes of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
“Of course, our position on issues related to security, defense and military alliances is completely different. We have a different approach there, and everyone knows it,” Peskov said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been a fierce advocate for Ukraine’s EU accession. « Ukraine is already part of Europe and will be part of an equal European Union, » he told Unites States Vice President JD Vance last weekend.
