On 7 December 2023, Dr Anastasiia Kudlenko attended the EU-Western Balkans Summit Link opens in a new window– breaking the stalemate: women, youth, justice and enlargement, organised by Friends of Europe in Brussels. The event focused on risks and uncertainties the Western Balkans has experienced in 2023 and the geopolitical challenges of the EU enlargement, which is set to go beyond the region and to include Ukraine, Moldova, and possibly other countries of the Eastern Neighbourhood. It was an opportunity to have a stimulating discussion with policy-makers, academics, civil society activists and youth representatives from across Europe.