The East-West divide within the EU has deep roots in history. It has been reflected also in the Visegrad Four’s specificity and in its conflictual relations with several EU institutions and governments of several Western European members. As Brexit showed the V4 resistance to the EU federalization positively contributes to the EU longevity as a loose confederation. The real problem for the EU are illiberal regimes in V4 states and the phenomenon of elective authoritarianism which is not confined to Eastern Europe. The EU will have to learn to manage tensions created by these phenomena.