A New Low in Georgian-EU Relations: Kobakhidze Accuses Brussels of "Absurdity"

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze sharply criticized a statement by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, in which she said the European Union does not intend to support the country's government but will support only its people. According to the Georgian head of government, this stance demonstrates that the European bureaucracy has "reached the point of absurdity."

"When you reach such a level of absurdity, it means you are no longer capable of making decisions independently. And then they are surprised when we say that the European bureaucracy is entirely controlled by external forces rather than acting in accordance with its own sovereign interests," the Georgian Prime Minister stated.

Kobakhidze cited a ministerial meeting on transport connectivity as an example, noting that representatives from seven countries were invited to participate, whereas Georgia—which he believes plays a key role in linking the region to the Black Sea and the West—did not receive an invitation at the ministerial level.

In Kobakhidze's view, the inability of European institutions to act in their own interests is one of the reasons for the weakening of the European Union's position. He added that the EU's share of the global economy has shrunk from approximately 30% in 2008 to 17.5% today.

Furthermore, Kobakhidze noted that after abandoning cheap Russian resources and amidst the crisis in the Middle East, the European Union has faced serious challenges regarding transport connectivity. Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister emphasized, Georgia remains the most effective route for Europe to maintain trade and economic ties.

Commenting on Kallas's remarks, the Prime Minister also stated that the EU's top diplomat effectively fails to recognize Georgia's sovereignty. "We have stated repeatedly that the Russian Federation exists and does not recognize Georgia's sovereignty over 20% of its territory. Then there is Kaja Kallas, who does not recognize Georgia's sovereignty over 100% of the country's territory. Naturally, this is a completely shameful position. When the European Union's High Representative fails to recognize the will of the Georgian people—and indeed opposes that will and the Georgian people themselves—it is a deeply concerning development," Kobakhidze declared.

Kobakhidze’s remarks came amidst a new surge in tensions between Tbilisi and Brussels. Earlier, EU Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński stated that the country is no longer among the candidates advancing toward European Union membership. He cited a failure to meet the democratic criteria that Brussels deems mandatory for accession as the reason. At the same time, the diplomat emphasized that the EU hopes for a change in the situation.

Последние новости
Kuban and the Don region fend off a nighttime drone raid; Ukraine targeted from Millerovo and Crimea
Chronicle of Wars and Crimes
Kuban and the Don region fend off a nighttime drone raid; Ukraine targeted from Millerovo and Crimea
27 October 2026

Starting on the evening of October 26, a "drone threat" alert was issued across the Krasnodar Territory (Kuban):
from 8:23 PM, it was in effect for Gelendzhik, Anapa, Novorossiysk, and the Abinsky, Krymsky, and Temryuksky districts; from 11:22 PM, it extended to the Tuapsinsky district, Sochi, and the Mostovsky district. By Tuesday morning, the situation along the Black Sea coast of the Kuban had normalized, and emergency services returned to their standard operating mode.

Azerbaijani NGOs urge Pezeshkian to provide education in the Azerbaijani language, while offering plenty of praise
Politics
Azerbaijani NGOs urge Pezeshkian to provide education in the Azerbaijani language, while offering plenty of praise
26 October 2026

Fifty-five non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Azerbaijan have sent an open letter to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, following criticism from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Science and Education regarding a statement made by Iran’s Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf.

Crimean Tatars Held in Russian Captivity Excluded from Latest Ukraine-Russia Prisoner Exchange
Human rights
Crimean Tatars Held in Russian Captivity Excluded from Latest Ukraine-Russia Prisoner Exchange
26 October 2026

During the prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia on October 23—a "270-for-270" swap—not a single Crimean prisoner of war or political prisoner returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory. Meanwhile, six Russian service members from Crimea were sent to Russia. This was reported on October 24 by Eskender Bariiev, head of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, in a Facebook post citing information from Yana Lantratova, a Russian official involved in human rights matters.

Turkish presidential adviser loses his post after criticising Azerbaijan’s hijab ban
Politics
Turkish presidential adviser loses his post after criticising Azerbaijan’s hijab ban
26 October 2026

Oktay Saral, chief adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has lost his position after criticising Azerbaijani authorities over restrictions on the wearing of hijabs in schools. His departure has become one of the most prominent episodes in the deterioration of relations between Ankara and Baku, which has been accompanied by accusations from Azerbaijan of interference in its internal affairs and fierce anti-Turkish rhetoric in pro-government Azerbaijani media.