Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
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Turkey’s balancing act between Moscow and the West has so far granted the Kremlin an important strategic advantage. Whoever emerges victorious in the presidential election will have to reassess Ankara’s position between NATO and Russia.
One year after the latest stage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, there is still no sign of an end to the war. Despite the unanimity in supporting Kyiv in both Europe and the United States, the political consensus on stepping up assistance is not solid enough.
The European Political Community aims to draw EU’s neighbors into its orbit while leaving enough room to accelerate European integration. Doubts remain over the new platform’s ability to overcome the harsh political realities that sunk similar initiatives over the years.
Bulgaria's general election should have identified whether voters were willing tolerate state capture and corruption. The return of Boyko Borissov demonstrates the resilience of the status quo, which relies on a shaky coalition that includes kleptocrats, oligarchs, opportunists and far-right populists.
Turkey’s positioning as the antithesis of European values, as well as its relationship with Russia, should raise questions about Ankara’s presence in the proposed European Political Community. The EU must not abandon its own principles and convictions in the name of realpolitik.
The likely electoral victory of a right-wing coalition in Italy raises fears in Europe, especially for the country’s democratic resilience. Although democracy will remain intact, economic stability and civil rights could still be undermined.
North Macedonia’s access to the EU has been opposed by Bulgaria due to historical disputes. The bloc should help Sofia and Skopje to shift their focus to more practical concerns, such as trade, infrastructure, telecommunications, and energy.
Unlike Ukraine and Moldova who have been given candidate status, Georgia has been offered a much weaker offer of EU membership perspective. Despite the best efforts of the country’s protestors, the Georgian dream government is unlikely to back down and meet these demands any time soon.
The agreement that settled the name dispute between (North) Macedonia and Greece is considered a major success for the EU. European institutions helped resolve a domestic political crisis in Skopje and facilitated the handover of power to a government willing to compromise with Athens.
Ukraine should view EU accession as a long-term project. Joining the union has become increasingly harder, lengthier, and more mired with obstacles.