Ukraine protects Europe from Kremlin aggression, Russian dissident Yashin says

Ilya Yashin, a prominent Russian opposition politician in exile, speaks about Russia under Putin, in Belgrade, Serbia, August 1, 2025. REUTERS/Zorana Jevtic

BELGRADE (Reuters) -Europe must start seeing Ukraine as a European country, and the Ukrainian military as a European army, Ilya Yashin, a prominent Russian opposition activist, said in Belgrade on Friday.

"The Ukrainian army is not only protecting Ukraine, it is protecting Europe from Russian aggression," he told hundreds of Russians who now live in Serbia.