On April 24, Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, questioned the European Union’s future viability and relevance to national economies while commenting on a Georgian Dream official’s remark about Georgia joining the EU by 2030. She also highlighted ongoing efforts to normalize Russian-Georgian relations.

During a press briefing, Zakharova responded to an unnamed Georgian Dream official’s statement regarding Georgia’s prospective accession to the European Union by 2030. Zakharova expressed skepticism about the EU’s longevity, suggesting that the bloc might not exist by the end of the decade. She stated, “Those who aim to join the European Union by 2030, or any other year, should ensure there is still something to join.”

To support her skepticism, Zakharova referenced the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU. She remarked, “Mind you, Britain wouldn’t have left something promising. Where there’s real potential, the British are always the first to capitalize. This time, they were the first to leave the EU. The reason is clear.” Offering her interpretation of the UK’s departure, Zakharova described the EU as exhibiting “clear signs of crisis” and asserted that the bloc no longer offers viable opportunities for countries prioritizing their economies. She emphasized, “There is nothing there for those who focus on their national economies. That’s the reality.”

Zakharova acknowledged that joining the EU is a sovereign decision for each country, stating, “We have repeatedly discussed this with Georgia, despite political disagreements and the absence of diplomatic relations.” She highlighted that Russia and Georgia are “building bilateral relations in a cooperative and mutually beneficial manner” and that dialogue continues in this direction.

She further noted efforts to “strengthen economic and humanitarian cooperation” and emphasized, “We are systematically working on the normalization of relations, which serves the interests of both the Russian and Georgian peoples.” Zakharova concluded by stressing the importance of prioritizing tangible outcomes over rhetoric, stating, “Those considering the European Union should focus on facts and figures, not just slogans.”