Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday extended his congratulations to Georgia on obtaining the European Union membership candidate status, saying “Georgia belongs to our common European home”. 

In his social media post, the Ukrainian President said he had had a call with his Georgian counterpart after the  European Council announced the decision late on Thursday, and congratulated her and the “entire Georgian people on the important decision”. 

He noted he had also received congratulations from Zourabichvili for opening accession talks with the bloc. 

Moldovan President Maia Sandu, whose country also achieved the opening of accession talks with the EU, congratulated Georgia on the success. 

“This is a historic moment and a significant step for Georgia, our region and Europe. Moldova stands with you in this journey, as together, we forge a stronger, more united Europe”, she tweeted. 

In her press briefing on Thursday, Zourabichvili highlighted the candidacy would not have come without Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against Russia, also congratulating both countries on opening accession talks with the bloc.