Montenegro warns Russian ambassador: Statements will be treated as hostile activity

2025-11-17 20:28:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Montenegro warns Russian ambassador: Statements will be treated as hostile

The Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on November 17 that the actions of the Russian ambassador, Aleksandar Lukashic, are “absolutely unacceptable” and constitute interference in the internal affairs of Montenegro.

The Russian ambassador was summoned for a conversation at the Ministry after he criticized Montenegrin institutions.

"It was made clear to the Russian ambassador that in the future similar messages will be treated as deliberately hostile activity, to which the Ministry will react adequately, in accordance with international norms," ??the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The reason for the reaction was Lukasic's recent statements regarding the Parliament's decision to join the Montenegrin Army with the NATO mechanism for providing security assistance and training to Ukraine (NSATU), as well as his negative comments about the interview with President Jakov Milatovi?.

Lukashik has accused the Montenegrin leadership of "demonizing Russia" and "strengthening its status as an enemy state towards Moscow, following the West in increasing tensions with Russia."

Commenting on President Milatovi?'s statement to a French newspaper that Montenegro's EU membership is the best strategy in the fight against the influence of third countries, including Russia, Lukashik said that Montenegro is involved in implementing "NATO's hybrid war" against Moscow.

Assessing that Montenegro will not allow anyone to violate the dignity of its institutions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has conveyed to Ambassador Lukashik the message that the Russian Embassy expects full respect for Montenegrin institutions and officials.

"In conducting foreign policy, Montenegro does not act according to the instructions of any other party, but consistently pursues its own national and strategic interests, determined by foreign policy priorities - NATO membership and the EU integration process."

The Montenegrin Parliament approved on November 12 the decision to participate in the NSATU, on the basis of which up to two members of the Army will be sent to Wiesbaden, Germany, where the training of Ukrainian soldiers will take place.

The decision was submitted to Parliament for approval by members of the Security and Defense Council: the president of the state, Parliament and Government, Jakov Milatovi?, Andrija Mandi? and Milojko Spaji?.

The decision states that NSATU will have logistical support centers in alliance countries and will consist of about 700 members from NATO member countries to provide security assistance to Ukraine.

Out of 81 MPs, 44 voted in favor of the decision, five were against and two abstained.

In addition to MPs from the ruling "Europe Now" movement of Prime Minister Spajic, the Democrats, minority parties and part of the opposition, several MPs from the ruling party, New Serbian Democracy (NSD), which was once part of the pro-Russian front, the Democratic Front, led by the current Speaker of Parliament, Mandi?, also voted for the joining of Montenegrin soldiers in the NSATU mission.

The NSD parliamentary group has nine MPs, four of whom supported the sending of Montenegrin soldiers to the NATO mission to assist Ukraine, while the others did not participate in the session.

Their long-time partners from the People's Democratic Party, MP Milan Kne?evi?, voted against.

The parties of the former Democratic Front had opposed Montenegro's membership in NATO for years, were in favor of lifting sanctions against Russia, and withdrew recognition of Kosovo's independence.

Ambassador Lukashik presented his credentials to President Milatovi? on June 9 this year./ Rel