EXPLAINER: Western Balkans’ promised EU future still hazy


              A woman waits at a bus station by a wall that shows the colours of the Serbian flag and graffiti against EU and NATO in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. European Union leaders will seek to offer support this week to six Western Balkan nations that have long been knocking at the bloc's doors, and now see the war in Ukraine raging not far from their borders amid fears that Russia could turn its sights on their region. Serbia, the largest of the six countries, is pivotal in Russia's regional influence. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
            
              A man rides a bicycle by a wall that shows the colours of the Serbian flag and graffiti against EU and NATO in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. European Union leaders will seek to offer support this week to six Western Balkan nations that have long been knocking at the bloc's doors, and now see the war in Ukraine raging not far from their borders amid fears that Russia could turn its sights on their region. Serbia, the largest of the six countries, is pivotal in Russia's regional influence. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
            
              A woman walks by a wall that shows the colours of the Serbian flag and graffiti against EU and NATO in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. European Union leaders will seek to offer support this week to six Western Balkan nations that have long been knocking at the bloc's doors, and now see the war in Ukraine raging not far from their borders amid fears that Russia could turn its sights on their region. Serbia, the largest of the six countries, is pivotal in Russia's regional influence. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
            
              FILE - A protocol staff member carries the EU flag before the press conference of U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Ambassador Richard Grenell and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. European Union leaders will seek to offer support this week to six Western Balkan nations that have long been knocking at the bloc's doors, and now see the war in Ukraine raging not far from their borders amid fears that Russia could turn its sights on their region. Serbia, the largest of the six countries, is pivotal in Russia's regional influence. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)
            
              FILE - Members of the Serbian honor guard prepare by an EU flag prior the visit of Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, April 24, 2018. European Union leaders will seek to offer support this week to six Western Balkan nations that have long been knocking at the bloc's doors, and now see the war in Ukraine raging not far from their borders amid fears that Russia could turn its sights on their region. Serbia, the largest of the six countries, is pivotal in Russia's regional influence. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)
            
              FILE - EU flag is seen in the Serbia Palace during visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. European Union leaders will seek to offer support this week to six Western Balkan nations that have long been knocking at the bloc's doors, and now see the war in Ukraine raging not far from their borders amid fears that Russia could turn its sights on their region. Serbia, the largest of the six countries, is pivotal in Russia's regional influence. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)
            
              A man with a child rides a bicycle by a wall that shows the colours of the Serbian flag and graffiti against EU and NATO in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. European Union leaders will seek to offer support this week to six Western Balkan nations that have long been knocking at the bloc's doors, and now see the war in Ukraine raging not far from their borders amid fears that Russia could turn its sights on their region. Serbia, the largest of the six countries, is pivotal in Russia's regional influence. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
            
              FILE - A member of the Serbian honour guard stands by Serbian, left, and EU flags during visit of Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. European Union leaders will seek to offer support this week to six Western Balkan nations that have long been knocking at the bloc's doors, and now see the war in Ukraine raging not far from their borders amid fears that Russia could turn its sights on their region. Serbia, the largest of the six countries, is pivotal in Russia's regional influence. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)
EXPLAINER: Western Balkans’ promised EU future still hazy