Ukraine & Moldova’s EU path with new twist after Merz accession proposal | Wider View from Brussels

The next few days may prove crucial, if not revolutionary, for what the European Union will look like in the years to come, as European leaders are deciding on the scale and shape of the EU’s next enlargement. Time is running short in the face of growing geopolitical threats from Russia. And the process of accepting new members is not without risks for the union itself either. Will a bigger EU also mean a stronger EU? What about the veto power that has paralyzed the bloc for years on major issues? And above all: will the French and German idea of associate membership gain acceptance among the rest of the club? A historic decision may be just around the corner. In this episode of Wider View from Brussels, host Grzegorz Nawrocki explores these issues with Rikard Jozwiak, a Europe Editor from RFE/RL, and Heather Grabbe, a senior fellow at Bruegel. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Ukraine & Moldova open membership negotiations with the EU 01:45 A turning point? Symbolic progress & long road ahead 06:19 Associate membership: Legitimate solution or permanent waiting room? 09:53 Immediate expectations 10:49 The issue of veto power & limitations of current accession process 15:27 Geopolitical urgency of Ukraine joining vs. domestic resistance in member states 19:25 Will Ukraine’s strategic environment put it in permanent waiting room 22:58 Broader enlargement outlook: Western Balkans & South Caucasus 🔴 Watch our 24/7 livestream - https://youtube.com/live/9RY46AUtIl4 Bringing you all the latest daily news and updates, TVP World is Poland's first English-language channel where you can find world news as seen from the Polish perspective and the latest news from the CEE region. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. https://tvpworld.com/   / tvpworldcom     / tvpworld_com     / tvp_world   https://www.threads.net/@tvp_world https://bsky.app/profile/tvpworld.bsk...   / tvpworld.com   https://t.me/tvp_world #Ukraine #Moldova #EU