Georgia and Moldova votes show challenges of EU enlargement push

FILE PHOTO: Protesters, including supporters of Georgia's opposition parties, hold a rally to dispute the result of a recent parliamentary election won by the ruling Georgian Dream party, in Tbilisi, Georgia October 28, 2024. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze/File Photo

(Reuters) - Elections in Georgia and Moldova have shown the European Union just how tough a task it faces in trying to expand to countries that Moscow considers in its sphere of influence.

The EU has been making a renewed push to bring in new members since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, saying the outbreak of war has shown the danger of having "grey zones" just outside the bloc that are not firmly part of the West.