enlargement

By supposedly holding the line against the enlargement of the European Union and the expansion of NATO, Russia was seen as standing up to the West.

He developed close ties with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and said Nato's enlargement was one of the main reasons for the war in Ukraine.

Moscow is demanding that what it calls the "root causes" of the Ukraine war be addressed: an all-encompassing phrase with which Russia broaden its demands to include a halt to Nato enlargement eastwards.

The European commissioner for enlargement, Marta Kos, criticised the bill's adoption.

He welcomed comments made by Trump's envoy to Ukraine, retired Gen Keith Kellogg, who described Russian concerns over Nato enlargement as "fair".