The over-reach risk: The unanswered questions of EU enlargement
There are three steps EU leaders must urgently take to prepare themselves for the enlargement process – starting by suspending Hungary’s voting rights
Wider Europe
Talk therapy: Ukraine’s EU accession and the hurdles ahead
It will take creativity from European leaders to expedite Ukraine’s path to EU membership and overcome the challenges that lie ahead
The limits of “as long as it takes”: Why Ukraine’s allies need to update their strategy
The politicisation of aid for Ukraine in the US and Europe, combined with the increasing war of attrition, is calling into question the West’s strategy for Ukraine. Kyiv’s allies need to update their strategy to enable Ukraine to push back against Russia’s aggression
Freedom’s gambit. How to save Belarusian prisoners of conscience
Just beyond the borders of the EU, the prisons of Belarus hold thousands of hostages of the Lukashenko regime. There is no magic formula for their release, but the EU can draw on international examples to save the lives of at least some of them
Democracy under siege: Tackling Russian interference in Moldova
Moldova’s recent local elections faced unprecedented levels of Russian interference. In the lead up to the presidential election next year, the EU should help Moldova counter these threats before it’s too late
Populist gegenpressing: Why the EU shouldn’t expect Orban to back off
Anti-EU posters have again flooded the streets of Budapest. Hungary’s ‘actually existing populism’ can help explain why this hate ritual is becoming a tradition
Beyond business as usual: A China strategy for Poland
Poland needs to rethink its approach to China. The new government provides an opportunity for Warsaw to work with European partners to develop a China strategy that strengthens both Poland and the EU
After Nagorno-Karabakh: How Europeans can strengthen Armenia’s resilience
The question of Nagorno-Karabakh is unlikely to be discussed any time soon after Azerbaijan took control of the region in September. Europeans should now diplomatically engage with all sides to prevent further escalation, while supporting Armenia’s domestic political stability and strengthening its defence capabilities
Hurdles from Hungary: Navigating challenges to Ukraine’s EU accession
Now that the European Commission has opened up accession negotiations for Ukraine, Kyiv should use careful diplomacy to contend with potential opposition from Budapest
The final frontier: Ending Moldova’s dependency on Russian gas
Over the past year, Moldova has rid itself of Russian gas supplies. But it still receives electricity from the Russian-sponsored breakaway region of Transnistria. Ending this final dependency would bolster Moldova’s security – and Europe’s