I'll leave this link here about the accession talks with Turkey as a negative example. Official negotiations about full membership were started in 2005, and nowadays we are just getting further away from it.

I'd say it really is what you make out of it. But even the process can be beneficial. I don't think there is a set timeframe and it seems that with Ukraine and Moldova there are now 9 candidates.

As for countries in conflict Cyprus was able to join, so it doesn't necessarily need to be a deal breaker it seems. Although a country in active war would be a different thing I assume. Considering the EU has a defense clause that is arguably worded stronger than NATOs.

I would note that not only Ukraine and Moldova have things to work on, but also the EU. Until we get rid of the veto adding new countries makes things even more difficult. We just have to look at Hungary to see how it makes everything difficult.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

Turkey doesn't do what is asked though, like democratic reforms. If they don't want to play by the EU rules then yeah, they can't join.