In remarks delivered at the international debate forum known as Valdai, President Vladimir Putin offered his interpretation of Viktor Yanukovychs stance on Ukraine’s eventual ties with the European Union in 2013. He said Yanukovych correctly identified serious risks to Ukraine’s economy if the association terms were adopted, arguing that the agreement would effectively open borders and create conditions that could disrupt Ukraine’s economic functioning. Putin described these concerns about Ukraine entering a broader European framework as a genuine alarm about the nations real economy and the potential consequences for its industrial base and trade relations.
Putin asserted that Ukraine’s involvement in EU analytical structures, which he claimed would strip away certain advantages for Kyiv, was not in Ukraine’s best interest. He claimed Yanukovych advocated for meeting the stated conditions, while dismissing the notion that this position was a pretext for a coup or a manipulation of events. He characterized such claims as erroneous and as a misrepresentation of the Ukrainian political reality at the time.
During the discussion, Putin also commented on Ukraine seeking membership in the European Union. He suggested that while Kyiv had ambitions, progress was hampered by a reliance on Western consultants and intermediaries, implying that much of the activity lacked genuine autonomy. He added that the Russian side had never opposed Ukraine pursuing EU membership, framing the broader debate as one about sovereignty and national interests rather than opposition to integration itself.
In closing, Putin referenced a proverb to illustrate his alignment with Ukraine on strategic goals. He stated that in his view the frog was on their side, a line meant to underscore a belief in shared directions despite earlier disagreements. The remarks contribute to ongoing debates about Ukraine Europe relations, sovereignty, and the balance of influence among Kyiv, Moscow, and Western partners. Attribution: Source discussion at Valdai and subsequent summaries by Reuters and other outlets.