"Given how strongly Moscow is opposed to any suggestion of NATO membership for Ukraine, it felt like a surprise when Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country wouldn't be opposed should Ukraine join the EU. "As for Ukraine's membership of the EU, we have never objected to this," Putin said whilst on a visit to China. "As for NATO, this is another issue." Observers were quick though to note that Putin was likely trying to appear as a peacemaker to US President Donald Trump."
"The statement, they say, was also aimed at playing for time since EU membership can take years or even decades while joining NATO is quicker and offers firmer security guarantees. Protests that started in 2013 in Kyiv, eventually led to the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor YanukovychImage: Sergey Dolzhenko/dpa/picture alliance Why is Russia okay with Ukraine's EU membership? In 2013 when Russia-backed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych suspended the signing of an association agreement with the EU, Ukraine erupted in widespread protests."
Russia publicly opposes NATO membership for Ukraine but indicates no objection to Ukrainian EU membership. Observers noted EU accession can be used as a tactical delay because EU membership often takes years or decades while NATO membership is quicker and provides firmer security guarantees. Protests in 2013 toppled pro‑Russian President Viktor Yanukovych after he suspended an EU association agreement, and Ukraine later signed the agreement amid concerns Moscow resisted Kyiv’s drift toward democratic Europe. Analysts argue Putin’s EU‑friendly rhetoric was a ruse to secure commitments against NATO expansion while Russia seeks to occupy Donbas, where Russia controls most territory and faces military manpower and supply constraints.
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