This is the best summary I could come up with:

Then, as now, the bloc faced sluggish economic growth, a political agenda partly shaped by right-wing populists, and bloody wars on its borders.

When the EU was founded, its three signature projects were in serious trouble: Plans for economic and monetary union had been thrown into chaos by the Exchange Rate Mechanism crisis, which showed just how difficult it was to tie national currencies together in the age of globalization.

And the prospect of closer cooperation on justice and home affairs was greatly complicated by a dramatic increase in the number of refugees arriving in Western Europe after the Cold War.

From the draconian budget cuts required of Greece and other countries during the euro crisis to the harsh conditions endured by refugees in makeshift camps from Calais to Moria, the bloc has shown insufficient solidarity toward those affected by global crises.

And yet, the speed with which the EU mobilized €800 billion in grants and loans for member countries during COVID-19, and the temporary protection offered to more than 4 million Ukrainians after Russia’s invasion in 2022, showed that a different Europe is, indeed, possible.

The European Council is expected to open membership negotiations with Ukraine later this year, but there’s every chance that this country will then join Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey on the road to nowhere.

The original article contains 877 words, the summary contains 222 words. Saved 75%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!