Medvedev Urges Hardline Stance Against EU Expansion

Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's Security Council Deputy Chair, advises against a lenient stance on Ukraine's EU membership. Claiming the EU may evolve into a military alliance antagonistic towards Russia, Medvedev highlighted potential shifts in NATO dynamics and suggested increased militarization of the EU.

In a recent statement, Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, emphasized that Moscow should reconsider its tolerant approach towards Ukraine's potential European Union membership.

Medvedev noted that the EU has evolved beyond its economic roots, potentially morphing into a military alliance that poses a direct threat to Russia, possibly surpassing NATO in this regard. He urged a reevaluation of Russia's stance, seeing the EU as both a military and economic entity.

Though Medvedev expressed skepticism about the United States leaving NATO, he did not rule out symbolic gestures like reducing U.S. troop deployments in NATO nations. He warned that internal discord within NATO might compel the EU to adopt a more militaristic posture.

(With inputs from agencies.)