Georgian FM highlights Georgia’s consistent political support for Ukraine since 2022

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday rejected accusations that Georgia had misrepresented its stance on Ukraine, emphasising the country’s consistent political support since February 2022.

In her remarks, Botchorishvili criticised conclusions in the European Commission’s report, which she described as detached from reality, and defended Georgia’s position on Ukraine.

“The conclusions made in the European Commission’s report are completely detached from the facts. It is shameful when anyone accuses Georgia of lying regarding Ukraine. Since February 2022, Georgia has done everything to consistently express political support for Ukraine. This support from Georgia has always been present and continues. At no point has it ever been the case - and no one can say - that Georgia failed to support Ukraine in international formats”, she said.

The Foreign Minister noted that Georgia’s approach aligned with practices in EU and NATO member states, balancing political support for Ukraine with the responsibility to protect the country from security risks.

“We have a very clearly defined policy on this matter, and the same policy exists in every EU member state, and even more so in NATO member states. No one wants to enter into confrontation with Russia or create additional security challenges. This is very natural. The primary duty of the Government is to protect the country from threats. This is our obligation, and if we are fulfilling it, it should not be criticised. Rather, it should be welcomed”, she noted.

Additionally, she highlighted that Ukraine, not being an EU member, could not interfere in Georgia’s European integration process, referencing Ukraine’s negative stance in 2022–2023, which aimed to hinder Georgia’s candidacy.

“On Georgia’s path to EU integration and the process of obtaining candidate status, Ukraine at one point displayed a negative attitude, aiming to prevent Georgia from receiving candidate status. We witnessed firsthand the campaigns that were held in 2022–2023 before we obtained candidate status, and Ukraine’s involvement in opposing Georgia’s European integration in various ways was evident. This was not hidden - everyone knows. Today, Ukraine is not an EU member, and therefore it cannot have any say regarding Georgia’s EU integration process”, Botchorishvili concluded.