Russia is opposed to Ukraine's accession not only to NATO, but also to the EU
KATERYNA TISHCHENKO — THURSDAY, 12 MAY 2022, 08:28 PM
Dmitry Polyansky, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, said that Russia's position on the possible entry of Ukraine into the EU has changed and has become similar to the position on Ukraine's entry into NATO.
Source: Polyansky, whose words are reported by the Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti
Quote: "Russia's position on Kyiv's desire to join the EU has changed, and is now similar to its position on Ukraine's accession to NATO," said Polyansky, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN.
Details: Asked in what cases Russia might use nuclear weapons, Polyansky said: "If you threaten a nuclear power, you must consider all options."
He also stated that as soon as Finland and Sweden become NATO members and military units of the alliance are stationed there, those territories will become a possible target for the Russian military.
Background: On 29 March, after a round of negotiations in Istanbul, Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to the President of the Russian Federation and head of the Russian delegation, said that among Kyiv's written proposals for an agreement with Russia is the wording that Moscow will not oppose Ukraine's entry into the European Union.
"Ukraine refuses to join military alliances, to deploy foreign military bases or contingents, to conduct military exercises on the territory of Ukraine without the consent of the guarantor states, including the Russian Federation. For its part, the Russian Federation does not deny Ukraine's desire to join the European Union," Medinsky read out from Ukraine's proposals.
These and other provisions "are by no means the provisions of a treaty, but proposals that we consider a constructive step towards finding a compromise," Medinsky stressed.
Earlier, Russia categorically objected to Ukraine's accession to NATO, because it allegedly poses some kind of danger to Russia. There was previously no such rhetoric about the EU.
