Putin says Russia has 'nothing against' Ukraine joining EU

The European Union is not a military organization, so Russia is not against Ukraine joining it, Vladimir Putin said at the plenary meeting of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Report informs.

According to him, Moscow only objected to the military development of Ukraine, and the decision on economic integration into any union is up to the Ukrainians to decide.

“We have no objections to Ukraine joining the European Union. We are against the military development of Ukraine because it threatens our security. But when it comes to economic integration, it is their choice,” Putin said.

The Russian leader noted that the organization will independently determine the expediency of Ukraine's accession to the EU.