"Politically, we cannot say no to Ukraine, but we cannot make a blind expansion"

The article discusses the importance of EU enlargement for democratic consolidation, particularly in relation to Ukraine's potential membership. It emphasizes the need for a careful approach to enlargement to maintain stability and decision-making capacity within the EU. The author reflects on the historical context of Portugal's EU accession and the challenges of integrating new members, especially those affected by conflict. The piece also touches on the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU and the need for closer cooperation post-Brexit. Lastly, it addresses the EU's response to Russian aggression and the lessons learned from past interactions with Russia.