In a rare moment of diplomatic clarity, the Kremlin has acknowledged that Ukraine has the sovereign right to pursue membership in the European Union, with Moscow insisting it has no intention of influencing Kyiv's decision.
According to Reuters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that economic integration is a matter for individual nations, reinforcing Russia's stance of non-interference—at least on this particular front.
However, Peskov quickly drew a sharp distinction when it came to military alliances, signalling that Ukraine's potential NATO ambitions remain a fundamental point of contention for Moscow.
The message is clear: economic partnerships are one thing, but security matters are another entirely. For now, it remains to be seen how Ukraine's European aspirations will unfold in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions.