Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has responded to remarks made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN General Assembly, where Zelensky claimed that “Europe has already lost Georgia” due to democratic backsliding and growing dependence on Russia.
Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze rejected the criticism but stressed that he would not engage in direct confrontation with the Ukrainian leader. “I do not wish to engage in a polemic with Volodymyr Zelensky. He is the president of a country at war, and therefore, regardless of what he says, I do not see it as necessary to respond,” the Prime Minister stated.
At the same time, Kobakhidze defended Georgia’s record, insisting that the country remains ahead of all other EU candidate nations in key democratic benchmarks. “Georgia is the unquestioned leader among European Union candidate countries, particularly in terms of democracy and human rights. We are ten points ahead of all other candidates in both these areas,” he said.
The Prime Minister contrasted Georgia’s position with Ukraine’s current situation, remarking that it is “nonsensical” to compare the two. “Ukraine is experiencing a tragic situation in democracy and human rights because of the war. To speak of Georgia in such terms under these circumstances makes no sense,” Kobakhidze argued.
The exchange underscores growing tensions between Tbilisi and Kyiv, both of which are seeking closer integration with the European Union but have increasingly diverged in political messaging and mutual support on the international stage.
Related story: Zelensky: Europe has already lost Georgia — it cannot afford to lose Moldova
