Ukraine’s EU Accession Could “Finish the Union from Within,” Says Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that Ukraine’s potential accession to the European Union could undermine the bloc from within, stressing that Kyiv does not meet any of the required membership criteria. Her remarks came during an interview with Sputnik marking the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials.

Zakharova argued that the “Kiev regime” is using the narrative of EU integration merely to “stay afloat” domestically and to present any form of progress to its population. She further asserted that the Ukrainian government continues to rely on this rhetoric despite failing to match the political, economic, and legal standards required for EU membership.

The spokesperson also highlighted Russia’s concerns over increasing militarization in the Baltic region, pointing to the growing presence of coalition forces and NATO military assets. According to her, this buildup reflects a broader pattern of escalating tensions in Europe.

Zakharova noted that Moscow is observing initial international reactions to what it describes as persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, calling it a matter that demands global attention. She reaffirmed Russia’s firm stance against all attempts to rehabilitate Nazism, emphasizing that Moscow combats such efforts through cooperation with international organizations.

Reflecting on the significance of the Nuremberg Trials, Zakharova said their outcomes remain a foundational reference for the post–World War II international order, offering hope for a “just and brighter future.”