**Russia Casts Doubt on EU’s Future, Georgia’s Membership Plans**
In a recent statement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed skepticism about the European Union’s relevance and future. She questioned whether there was anything left for countries to join in 2030, the year Georgia aims to become a full member.
Zakharova pointed out that Britain’s departure from the EU had shown that the bloc was no longer as attractive or viable as it once seemed. “There is nothing to do there for those who think about their national economies,” she said. Her comments come at a time when Georgia has been granted EU candidate status, a milestone in its long-standing Euro-Atlantic integration policy.
The Russian official also highlighted the need for concrete figures and not just slogans or promises, suggesting that countries should be cautious about joining an institution facing obvious signs of crisis. This stance is likely to be met with skepticism from Georgian officials, who have repeatedly stated their commitment to joining the EU by 2030.
**Georgia’s Membership Plans in Question**
The statement by Zakharova comes as Georgia faces significant challenges in its relations with the EU. The country has been criticized for democratic backsliding, repressive laws, and state capture, leading to a halt in EU assistance and suspended visa liberalization. Despite these issues, Georgian Dream officials continue to claim that the country will join the EU by 2030.
Zakharova’s comments also highlight Russia’s efforts to normalize relations with Georgia, which have been strained for years. She noted that Russia is working on building bilateral relations in a cooperative and mutually beneficial way, despite previous disagreements and lack of diplomatic ties.
**A Sigh from the Russian Side**
The statement by Zakharova marks a change in tone from previous comments made by Russian officials. Last year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia was ready to go as far as Tbilisi is willing to normalize relations between Georgia and occupied regions. However, this latest comment suggests that Russia may be reassessing its stance on the EU’s future.
As Georgia continues to navigate its complex relationship with both the EU and Russia, it remains unclear whether the country will achieve its goal of joining the EU by 2030. With tensions running high between the West and Russia, it is possible that Zakharova’s comments could be seen as a sign of what might happen if Georgia chooses not to pursue membership in the European Union.
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