The EC has recommended opening entrance talks with Ukraine and Moldova and granting candidacy status to Georgia. Talks with Moldova are the most damaging for peace in the region, given the country’s pro-Russian breakaway region. One of Russia’s long-term goals is contiguous access to Transnistria and thus the EU’s actions could undermine potential peace talks with Ukraine. That said, EU expansion largely remains political theatre – none of the new candidates have strong cases for joining any time soon.