A two-day summit of EU heads of state and government strats in Brussels today, with the key topics being Russian aggression and granting Ukraine and Moldova the status of candidates for EU membership.
The decision, unprecedented as Ukraine has suffered a Russian invasion since 24 February and does not control its entire territory, represents clear political backing for the war-torn country, which is expected to be matched by pledges of further economic and military support. The EU27, however, not decide on further sanctions against Russia this time.
Moldova is also likely to get the nod, but Georgia is expected to be left out and will have to put in some work before receiving EU candidate status.
Likewise, no progress is expected on the long-stalled enlargement process in the Western Balkans, where two official candidates, North Macedonia and Albania, are being held back by a Bulgarian veto on Skopje.
-Euroactiv