Claim fact-check

Russia stated that it is not its place to dictate whether Ukraine or European countries should join the European Union or NATO.

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Model: Kimi K2.6 Checked on:
Verdict explanation
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  • Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in February 2025 that Ukraine has a “sovereign right” to join the EU and that “no one can dictate anything to another country, and we are not going to do that” on economic integration12.
  • However, Peskov immediately distinguished EU membership from military alliances, adding: “Of course, our position on issues related to security, defense and military alliances is completely different. We have a different approach there, and everyone knows it”2.
  • Russia has repeatedly called Ukrainian NATO membership “unacceptable” and a “direct threat,” demanded that NATO disavow its 2008 promise to Ukraine, and cited Ukraine’s NATO aspirations as a justification for its 2022 invasion345.
  • Russia therefore did not state that it is not its place to dictate on both EU and NATO membership; it explicitly maintains a right to oppose NATO membership while saying it will not dictate EU membership.

Overall validity: 0%

  1. Russia, opposed to Ukraine's Nato membership, says joining European Union is Kyiv’s ‘sovereign right’ – Firstpost
  2. Russia: Ukraine has a ‘sovereign right’ to join EU — but not NATO – POLITICO
  3. Russia says NATO states can't enforce Ukraine peace, wants membership pledge scrapped
  4. Ukraine–NATO relations
  5. Russia never ‘objected’ to EU membership for Ukraine, Putin claims
Sources using this claim· 1 source