Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has reaffirmed his country’s ambition to become a full member of the European Union, while warning that his government is “very concerned about fundamental problems” within the bloc.

The European Union ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, has described the latest EU enlargement report as a “final wake-up call” for Georgia to reverse course and return to the path of European integration.

Editor's note: Faig Mahmudov is an Azerbaijan-based journalist. The article expresses the author's personal opinion and may not coincide with the view of News.Az.

Ukraine is starting to consider a shift away from the U.S. dollar, possibly linking its currency more closely to the euro amid the splintering of global trade and its growing ties to Europe, Central Bank Governor Andriy Pyshnyi told Reuters, News.Az reports.

On March 26, the Armenian Parliament approved the bill “On starting the process of accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union” in its second and final reading.

On February 28, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reiterated his opposition to Ukraine's accession to the European Union, warning that it would "destroy" Hungary, according to the country's public broadcaster Hirado.

On January 9, 2025, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that the Armenian government approved a bill to initiate the country’s accession process to the European Union (EU). The proposal, titled “On Initiating the Process of the Republic of Armenia’s Membership in the European Union,” was submitted to parliament by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan for consideration and a final decision. According to Prime Minister Pashinyan, any decision to join the EU would ultimately require a nationwide referendum.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov characterized Armenia’s decision to launch an EU accession bid as the country’s “sovereign right,” but cautioned that Armenia cannot simultaneously remain part of two different organizations. “What does this EU membership mean? It is difficult to say right now, because, of course, it is impossible to be a member of two different organizations, hypothetically speaking,” Peskov added.

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, also responded to Armenia’s move, remarking that “Armenia can apply directly to the EU, where they like to help candidates for paradise with money and weapons,” and alluding to the EU’s ongoing support for Ukraine. He further suggested that Prime Minister Pashinyan might still remember Armenia’s membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

In an interview with News.az, several political analysts offered insights into the implications of Armenia’s decision:

Police in Georgia arrested dozens of protesters overnight and into Friday morning during a crackdown on unrest over the government's decision to postpone European Union accession talks, News.az reports citing foreign media.

The ruling Georgian Dream party announced Thursday that Georgia would suspend EU accession talks until 2028 and reject budgetary grants from Brussels, effectively freezing its EU membership bid for the next four years, News.az reports citing Deutsche Welle.