The Western Balkans are still a geopolitical vacuum on the European map.
The six countries' sluggish process of rapprochement with the EU has enabled Russia and China to exert influence in a region that should have long been firmly entrenched in the Western camp.
Membership in NATO is not enough for this and in cases like Serbia is not even an option for the foreseeable future.
Both sides are responsible for the fact that EU accession is not progressing: the candidates have not done their homework and the EU is tired of enlargement.
Don't depend on moods
In view of the changed situation in Europe, this can no longer be afforded.
The Chancellor is right when he calls for a "realistic chance" for the Balkan states.
In any case, accession should not depend on the mood of domestic politics in the EU.
However, it is and remains a demanding process and not only because sanctions against Russia have to be adopted, as Scholz noted.
Accession to the EU fundamentally changes a state, including its society.
That doesn't even work for every current member, so Macron's idea of an intermediate step is worth considering.
A “political community” with third countries in the Balkans and elsewhere would still be better than more years of waiting and standing still.