President Vladimir Putin said that Russia has nothing against Ukraine joining the EU because it is not considered a military bloc. However, according to the president, after joining it, Ukraine will become a "semi-colony" of the EU, Kommersant reported.

"The EU is not a military organization, military-political bloc, unlike NATO, so we have always said and I have always said that our position here is consistent and clear: we have nothing against it," said the president, answering questions at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

The President believes that after joining the EU, Ukraine's economy will require more subsidies. "But if the domestic market is not protected, Ukraine will finally turn into such a semi-colony, in my opinion," Putin said. According to the president, Ukraine's accession to the EU will not lead to "the restoration of the lost aircraft building, shipbuilding, electronic industry and other critically important industries."