In Tivat, Montenegro, the EU is holding a summit with Western Balkan accession candidates (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, excluding Kosovo) to invigorate their potential EU accession. The discussion is also influenced by the ongoing debate about Ukraine's EU path, with proposals like "associated membership" raising concerns among Western Balkan states about being bypassed. Montenegro and Albania are seen as frontrunners, with Montenegro having opened all 33 negotiation chapters and closed 14, aiming for membership by 2028. However, challenges remain, including necessary reforms in areas like electoral systems and justice, and the unanimous ratification by all 27 EU member states, with France expressing skepticism. Germany and France are proposing gradual integration steps and a phased accession to provide tangible results sooner and maintain the region's support for the EU.