A stable and liberal democratic European Union (EU) and neighbourhood where the Union’s core values are upheld is not only morally desirable, but also essential in the current geopolitical context. Yet, across the Union, its core values are under pressure. These risks can be contained if the EU enlargement is implemented in such a way that geopolitical interests and values are mutually reinforcing. This means, among others, that the EU and its Member States should i) strengthen conditionality in the EU-accession process, ii) pro-actively support candidate countries (including civil society) in their democratic transformation process and iii) ensure a more consistent and depoliticized use of the Union’s instruments to protect the rule of law in its Member States.