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<p data-start="101" data-end="456"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Moscow has reiterated its opposition to Ukraine joining the European Union, citing concerns over increasing militarisation within the bloc and its growing alignment against Russia. Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the European Problems Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said Ukraine's entry into the EU contradicts Russia&rsquo;s national interests.</span></p>
<p data-start="458" data-end="859"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Maslennikov stated that the European Union is moving toward a more militarised posture, positioning itself as an adversary to Russia, particularly in relation to the ongoing Ukrainian conflict. He referenced the EU&rsquo;s Treaty of Lisbon, highlighting its collective defence clause, which he suggested mirrors NATO&rsquo;s Article 5 &mdash; further justifying Russia's opposition to Ukraine&rsquo;s potential EU membership.</span></p>
<p data-start="861" data-end="1155"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Meanwhile, at the recent European Council summit in Brussels, Hungary blocked a joint statement that expressed strong support for Ukraine. The statement condemned Russia&rsquo;s actions and supported Ukraine&rsquo;s path to European integration, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban opposed this move.</span></p>
<p data-start="1157" data-end="1419"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Orban argued that Ukraine lacks defined borders, a functioning economy, and full sovereignty &mdash; prerequisites for EU membership. He warned that accepting a country actively involved in military conflict could lead to an &ldquo;endless war&rdquo; funded by European taxpayers.</span></p>
<p data-start="1421" data-end="1587" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&ldquo;Ukraine&rsquo;s accession would drag the European Union directly into hostilities,&rdquo; Orban remarked in a radio interview, emphasising Hungary&rsquo;s firm opposition to the move.</span></p>
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<div class="flex items-center justify-center"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]</span></div>
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Russia Opposes Ukraine's EU Membership Bid

Moscow cites EU militarisation, conflict risks as reasons to block Ukraine’s EU accession

Russia Opposes Ukraine's EU Membership Bid

Moscow cites EU militarisation, conflict risks as reasons to block Ukraine’s EU accession

June 28, 2025 | 17:04 IST