(MENAFN) Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili has accused Ukraine of obstructing Georgia’s European integration, claiming Kyiv actively sought to derail Tbilisi’s path to EU membership.

In remarks to local media, Bochorishvili described it as “shameful” for anyone to blame Georgia over Ukraine, emphasizing that her country has consistently supported Kyiv since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

“Ukraine’s involvement … was demonstrated more than once, that they opposed Georgia’s European integration in various ways,” she said, noting that campaigns during 2022–2023 aimed to block Georgia from achieving EU candidate status.

“No one can say that Georgia has not supported Ukraine in international formats. The conclusions reached in the European Commission report completely distort the real facts,” she added.

Bochorishvili also defended Georgia’s stance toward Russia, asserting it mirrors the approach of EU and NATO members by prioritizing national security and avoiding confrontation.

“The government’s primary responsibility is to avoid threats to the country. If we do this, it shouldn’t be condemned -- it should be welcomed,” she said.

She further criticized comments by EU Ambassador to Georgia Pavel Gerchinsky, claiming they reflected the views of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and European Commissioner for Enlargement Martha Kos.

“The Ambassador cannot make a statement contradicting Brussels leaders. Unfortunately, the statement from Brussels distorts the facts about what happened in Georgia on October 4 and creates false impressions,” Bochorishvili said.

Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023 following months of friction with Brussels over political reforms and alleged democratic backsliding.

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