Russian President Vladimir Putin stated today at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that his country expects relations with Ukraine to be restored once thethe «special military operation» in that country is completed.
Putin: Nothing in world politics will ever be the same again
In an interview he gave alongside Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Putin said: «Sooner or later, the situation will return to normal.».
Moreover, the Russian president assured that Moscow does not oppose Ukraine’s possible accession to the European Union. «We have nothing against it; it is their decision whether or not to join economic unions (…) It is their own business; it is a matter for the Ukrainian people,» he said.
Russia, which has been invading Ukraine since February 24, views Kyiv’s aspiration to join NATO very negatively, as Moscow considers NATO a threat to its security. However, «as far as their economic integration is concerned, it is their own (i.e., the Ukrainians») choice,” Putin said.
«The EU is not a military alliance, unlike NATO,» he explained.
Nevertheless, the Russian president said that ’Ukraine will become a semi-colony’ of Western countries if it joins the EU. «That is my opinion,» he added.
