Medvedev: ‘The EU Has Become an Enemy and Threat to Russia’s Security’

In new controversial remarks made today (June 25, 2025), former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev described the European Union as a “threat” to Russia’s security. He emphasized that Moscow remains opposed to Ukraine’s accession to the EU. In fact, Medvedev stated that “the European Union has evolved into an enemy of Russia, posing a direct threat to its security,” labeling the EU as an “anti-Russian bloc.” While Russia has long opposed Ukraine joining NATO—a key justification for its invasion in 2022—it had previously taken a more relaxed stance regarding Ukraine’s potential EU membership. However, Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, argued that the EU has transformed from an economic bloc focused on preventing war into an anti-Russian organization gradually becoming a military alliance. ‘Brussels is now Russia’s real enemy,’ Medvedev wrote on Telegram. ‘In its current distorted form, the European Union poses no less of a threat to us than NATO.’ He further warned that supporting Ukraine’s freedom to join ‘whatever it wants’ outside NATO is misguided, stating that the EU, armed with weapons, represents an immediate threat to Russia. ‘Therefore, the so-called idea of Ukraine within the EU is dangerous for our country,’ he added. Despite this, Medvedev suggested bilateral cooperation between Moscow and specific EU member states should continue, though he did not name any countries explicitly. Hungary and Slovakia have notably tried to maintain friendly relations with Putin since the war began.