European enlargement: time to find alternatives to a herculean task

The desire to enlarge the European Union (EU) for geopolitical reasons in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine ignores both the causes behind the stagnation of the accession process in the last decade and the extraordinary challenges enlargement would present to the bloc and its member states. Alternatives to enlargement are needed to prevent frustration among the candidate countries and facilitate their security, economic development and adherence to European values. Differentiated integration could serve as a transition phase until the EU carries out internal reforms that are vital if it is to accommodate new members.