Russia "Ukraine and Moldova Obtaining EU Candidate Status Does Not Concern Us"

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] Russia has expressed that it is unconcerned about Ukraine and Moldova obtaining candidate status for European Union (EU) membership.

On the 24th (local time), according to foreign media including Interfax, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated, "Unlike the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the EU is not a political or military bloc," adding, "Developing relations with the EU and other countries does not pose a threat to us." However, he also noted, "We are paying attention to the fact that anti-Russian sentiment has been intensifying in the EU over the past few years."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also drew a line by saying that Ukraine and Moldova's acquisition of EU candidate status is an internal European matter. However, he expressed regret over Moldova linking its EU candidate status to an anti-Russian stance.

Meanwhile, the EU decided to grant candidate status for membership to Ukraine and Moldova at a summit held in Brussels, Belgium, the previous day.