Claim: Russia has never objected to Ukraine joining the European Union.
35%- Multiple news outlets report that Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated Russia does not object to Ukraine joining the EU, distinguishing it from NATO membership. In June 2022, Putin said Russia had “nothing against” Ukraine’s EU bid, and in September 2025 he reiterated, “As for Ukraine’s membership of the EU, we have never objected to this”12.
- AP News similarly notes that while Russia strongly opposes Ukraine’s NATO membership, it “has not objected to EU membership for Kyiv”3.
- However, the claim is too absolute. Russia has actively opposed other forms of EU integration, notably pressuring Ukraine in 2013 to scrap the EU Association Agreement—a key step toward closer EU ties—which triggered the Euromaidan protests45.
- In November 2023, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed Ukraine’s EU membership as “hardly real promises,” suggesting skepticism if not direct opposition64.
- A joint EU-Ukraine report from June 2025 found that Russia is conducting covert influence operations to “erode support for Kyiv’s accession to the bloc,” which amounts to working to stop Ukraine’s EU accession7.
- Experts quoted by DW assess that Putin’s public acceptance is tactical and that he “is still opposed” to Ukraine’s EU membership in practice8.
Overall validity: 35%
- Putin says Russia has 'nothing against' Ukraine joining EU
- Putin says Russia doesn't oppose Ukraine joining the EU
- EU agrees to launch membership talks with Ukraine next wee | AP News
- Russia Says Ukraine's EU Membership 'Hardly Real' Possibility - The Moscow Times
- Ukraine: Conflict at the Crossroads of Europe and Russia
- Vladimir Putin says Russia never ‘objected’ to Ukraine joining EU, only NATO
- Russia working to stop Ukraine's EU accession, report finds
- What's behind Putin's remarks on Ukraine's EU membership?