It will be a victory for Russia: Zurabishvili on the rejection of Georgia's EU candidate status

The European Union's refusal to grant Georgia EU candidate status will be "a defeat for Georgia and a victory for Russia". This was stated by Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili in an interview with Radio Liberty , UNN reports.

According to her, the refusal will cause "great disappointment" among Georgians, and satisfaction among the Russian leadership. "Russia will think that Georgia remains in a gray zone," Zurabishvili said.

"We all know that disappointment is what people who manipulate propaganda, fake news and everything else can best use, and they will start accusing the European Union of forgetting about Georgia again, of letting Georgia down. And all these theses, of course, will come from Russia and play in its favor," she said.

If Georgia is denied EU candidate status, Russia will consider it to remain in the "gray zone".

"For Russia to consider any country completely in the 'gray zone' means that they consider it 'theirs' to play with," Zurabishvili said.

Let's add

The issue of EU enlargement will be discussed at the leaders' summit on December 14-15. As a result, Georgia may be granted EU candidate status, which it was denied last year. Ukraine, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina may also be allowed to start negotiations on joining the EU.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Georgian government has continued its course of rapprochement with the West, while trying not to fall out with Moscow. In October, the ruling Georgian Dream party, which is more pro-Russian, tried to impeach President Zurabishvili, but was unsuccessful. In an interview with Radio Liberty, Zurabishvili accused the party of trying to "kill democracy and the European future of Georgia."

Recently, another pro-European march of thousands was held in Tbilisi. Next year, parliamentary elections are to be held in Georgia.