EU to advance expansion plans at Balkans summit

Article excerpt

European leaders convened in Montenegro to discuss EU expansion, with three candidates in focus: Montenegro, which is closest to membership, and Ukraine and Moldova, whose accession timelines remain uncertain. The summit reflects the EU's strategic push to extend its influence across the Balkans and Eastern Europe, even as the bloc grapples with internal divisions over rapid enlargement. Montenegro has been negotiating membership for years but faces obstacles including rule-of-law concerns and organized crime. Ukraine and Moldova, meanwhile, seek EU integration partly as a counterweight to Russian pressure, adding geopolitical urgency to the discussions.