Montenegro ramps up support for Ukraine with NATO collaboration
NATO troops (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Montenegro is launching a new phase of aid to Ukraine within the framework of an international NATO mission, according to Radio Slobodna Evropa.
After nine months of indecision, on November 12, the Parliament of Montenegro approved the participation of its army in the NATO mission to assist and train Ukrainian military personnel (NSATU).
44 deputies approved the document, five voted against it, and two abstained.
It should be noted that this decision was proposed by the Defense and Security Council as early as February 7 of this year. At the same time, part of the ruling coalition, the Democratic People’s Party (DNP), opposed the decision, fearing a deterioration of relations with Russia.
“This could only further jeopardize our relations with the Russian Federation. It would be wiser to stay out of someone else’s conflicts,” said DNP deputy Vladislav Bojović.
Now, Montenegrin troops within the NSATU framework will train Ukrainian military personnel on the territory of NATO member countries. Montenegro’s Minister of Defense, Dragan Krapović, noted that the decision to continue supporting Ukraine was made at the NATO summit in Washington last year.
This is one of two Ukrainian missions in which Montenegro plans to participate following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022; the other is organized by the European Union. Participation in the EU mission also awaited parliamentary approval for nine months - from September last year to June 2025.
At the same time, the signing of a 10-year security agreement between Montenegro and Ukraine is expected.
It provides for:
- Support in the event of an armed attack;
- Investments in the defense industry;
- Intelligence sharing;
- The restoration of territories affected by the war.
The agreement still needs to be ratified by the country’s parliament.
Earlier, the resolution condemning the Russian invasion was opposed by the Speaker of Parliament, Andrija Mandić, leader of the pro-Russian Democratic Front.
Montenegro in NATO
Montenegro officially joined the North Atlantic Alliance on June 5, 2017, becoming its 29th member.
The decision to join was made under the government of the Democratic Party of Socialists, led by Milo Đukanović, citing the need to strengthen national security and ensure protection against external threats.
In one of his recent interviews with journalists, Minister Krapović admitted that at the time of the country’s accession to the Alliance, he was not a supporter, but today he considers it the right decision.
