The European Union has affirmed its position in the Russia-West standoff, at least for now. At the EU Council summit in Brussels on Dec. 15, member countries voted unanimously to extend sanctions against Russia through July 31, 2017. They also agreed to give assurances to the Netherlands that an association agreement signed with Kiev in 2014 would not lead to EU membership for Ukraine. The clarification was important for the Netherlands, the only EU country that has not ratified the agreement. The Dutch legislature is now expected to vote on whether to ratify the agreement as soon as Dec. 16.

The decisions maintain the pressure that the European Union has been exerting on Moscow, while supporting the government in Kiev as the conflict in eastern Ukraine wears on. The day before the summit, the European Parliament gave preliminary approval to extend visa-free travel to citizens of Ukraine and Georgia — yet another sign of commitment to further integrate with the two countries. Visa waivers for travel within the European Union could be granted to the countries by spring 2017.

Nevertheless, it is unclear how long the divided European Union can keep its consensus on these issues. The bloc is under significant pressure, particularly as it deals with the Brexit. That pressure will likely increase next year, when several contentious elections will take place, each of which could undermine unanimity on Russian sanctions and leave countries in the European borderlands, such as Ukraine, further exposed. Though the European Union will continue its support for Ukraine and Georgia — and its penalties on Moscow — for now, these commitments are likely to face serious challenges in the coming year.