Montenegro will officially join the European Union’s international mission aimed at providing military assistance to Ukraine, marking an important step in strengthening European support for Ukrainian defenders in their fight against Russian aggression
This decision was made during the Montenegrin parliament’s session, which took place after nearly nine months of discussions and debates surrounding this issue. According to information obtained from sources of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and disseminated through "European Truth," 49 out of 81 deputies voted in favor of the relevant resolution, indicating a significant political consensus around this decision. The goal of Montenegro’s participation in this mission is to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities while deterring further aggression from Russia and potential threats from other states. The documents emphasize that the primary objective is to strengthen the ability of Ukrainian troops to defend their territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders. From a technical implementation perspective, Montenegro’s Minister of Defense, Dragan Krapović, explicitly stated that Montenegrin servicemen will not directly participate in combat operations nor will they be physically present on Ukrainian territory. He emphasized: “I want this to be absolutely clear. All activities of this mission are carried out on EU member states’ territory—Poland and Germany. Our soldiers will not engage in direct combat missions on Ukrainian land.” However, within the country’s political spectrum, some tension remains. Opposition forces accuse pro-Russian Speaker of Parliament Andrija Mandić of delaying the decision-making process. Mandić’s political bloc is known for its criticism of Montenegro's NATO accession and the sanctions imposed by the country against Russia, which causes internal contradictions in the context of international cooperation. It is important to note that Montenegro joined NATO in 2017, which significantly bolsters its position within Euro-Atlantic security frameworks. Moreover, the country actively participates in so-called "Ukrainian missions" established after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In particular, one such mission is the European Union Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), created on October 17, 2022. Its goal is to provide training and advisory support to Ukrainian military personnel, and this project is funded by the European Peace Facility. To date, the mission’s mandate has been extended until November 2026. Regarding Montenegro’s involvement in this mission, the country is currently preparing to join the so-called second "Ukrainian" mission organized by NATO, which involves training Ukrainian forces and exchanging expertise within the alliance. On February 7 of this year, Montenegro’s Defense and Security Council approved a decision to involve part of the army in this mission, known as NATO Support and Assistance to Ukraine (NSATU). It is important to note that all actions under this initiative are focused on the territories of NATO member countries, coordinated directly by the alliance, which oversees planning and preparatory activities. The final decision to participate in this mission is also under consideration by the Montenegrin parliament and will determine the country’s subsequent steps. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that these and other security assistance programs operate within the broader context of cooperation between Montenegro and European structures. Overall, the activities of the EU Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), which began on October 17, 2022, continue and are planned to last until November 2026, providing Ukraine with essential support in its complex military challenges. Montenegro’s intention to join these efforts demonstrates its aspiration to engage more actively in European and international security policies, strengthen defense cooperation, and potentially enhance its geopolitical connections in the region.