Georgia accuses Ukraine of obstructing EU integration efforts

Head of Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maka Bochorishvili. Facebook

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia issued a statement on Ukraine’s role in the context of Georgia’s European integration. According to Maka Bochorishvili, Ukraine allegedly conducted campaigns aimed at harming the country’s accession to the EU. The information was relayed by the publication SOVA.

Bochorishvili states that the negative influence from Ukraine accompanied the process of obtaining candidate status even before it was officially proclaimed and was evident in 2022–2023 in various forms of resistance to Georgia’s European integration.

According to the head of the MFA, such actions were not hidden; they were supposedly seen by many people, and today this is reflected in public statements about Kyiv’s interaction with Tbilisi in this context.

“The path of Georgia’s integration into the European Union and the process of obtaining candidate status were, in some ways, accompanied by a negative attitude from Ukraine – so that Georgia would not gain candidate status. We have seen with our own eyes the campaigns conducted in 2022-2023 – before we gained candidate status – and here Ukraine’s involvement in this direction was repeatedly evident, as they in various forms opposed Georgia’s European integration. This happened, it was not hidden, we all know it”,

Reaction from the MFA and the context of European integration

The head of the MFA also noted that despite the “campaigns to obstruct” EU membership, Ukraine cannot influence the European Union’s position, as it is not a member.

She emphasized that Georgia continues to pursue its policy toward Russia in the same manner as any EU and NATO country, with a focus on avoiding threats to security and stability in the region.

“No one wants to enter into a confrontation with Russia and create additional security challenges. This is entirely natural. The government’s primary duty is to avoid threats to the country. This is our duty, and if we do this, it should not be condemned – it should be welcomed”,

In the context of the European Commission’s positions regarding Georgia’s path to membership, a corresponding report was published: the document criticizes restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, as well as violations of nondiscrimination principles, calling for changes.

“Following the European Council’s conclusions from December 2024 and considering the continuing drift of Georgia, the Commission regards Georgia as a candidate country only in name. The Georgian authorities must demonstrate a firm commitment to changing course and returning to the path toward EU membership”,

In response, the Georgian MFA called the European Commission’s criticism political speculation and assured that the country continues to adhere to the agreements with the EU. At the same time, the EU noted that the process of Georgia’s integration is effectively paused due to actions by the ruling party, in particular the adoption of laws on “foreign agents” and restrictions on LGBT rights. The European Council also did not recognize the results of the parliamentary elections held on 26 October.

In light of these events, the European context remains dynamic: official statements and public commitments go hand in hand with a realistic assessment of progress. In such a situation, Georgia’s task remains to maintain its European orientation, while also demonstrating responsibility toward democratic standards and the requirements of its EU partners.