It all started in 2013 with Russia steering Ukraine’s then president away from a trade partnership with Brussels. Eight years, one revolution and two invasions on, the EU is now set to grant Kyiv and Moldova EU candidate status. But what does this mean? And what will be the backlash? Would the bloc have the resolve to weather Russia cutting all gas exports? Putin may be assuring his people that Ukraine joining the EU is no big deal, but past pronouncements say otherwise.