EU Commission sees Montenegro in the final sprint for EU membership

The European Commission believes Montenegro could soon join the EU, potentially completing accession talks by the end of this year and joining by 2028. Albania and Moldova are also on track for EU membership, with negotiations expected to conclude by 2027 and 2028, respectively. However, all candidates must meet specific conditions to progress. Ukraine aims to finish its accession talks by 2028, but significant reforms are needed, especially amid ongoing conflict. The EU's expansion is driven by geopolitical factors, aiming to strengthen its influence and prevent closer ties between candidate countries and Russia or China. Challenges include agricultural integration and financial implications for the EU budget.