Montenegrin Army to train Ukrainian soldiers

After nine months of waiting, members of the Montenegrin Parliament have approved the decision to send military personnel to the European Union Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine.

Forty-nine out of 81 MPs voted in favor of the decision.

According to the adopted decision, members of the Montenegrin Army will participate in the EU military assistance mission for Ukraine.

"In order to strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to protect the territorial integrity of the country, within its internationally recognized borders, and in response to the current military offensives of the Russian Federation, as well as other potential aggressors," the explanation of why this decision was made states.

The opposition accused Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandic – who opposes NATO and supports Russian President Vladimir Putin – of obstructing this effort.

His party, which is part of the ruling coalition, has opposed membership in the Western military alliance and also opposes the sanctions that Podgorica has imposed on Moscow due to its aggression against Ukraine.

Montenegro joined NATO in 2017, at a time when the country was governed by the Democratic Party of Socialists, which was ousted from power in 2020.

"Ninety-nine percent of today's parliamentary majority did not vote for NATO membership," the party said, commenting on the nine-month postponement of the vote on the issue.

Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović, explaining the decision, reiterated that "there is no question" that his country's soldiers, who will be deployed for this mission, will be sent to Ukrainian territory.

"I want to make this clear. I would never support something like this. All activities of this mission are carried out on EU territory, in Poland and Germany," the minister said.

The EU mission is one of two missions to Ukraine that have been organized following the launch of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and in which Montenegro is expected to participate.

The second mission is organized by NATO.

On February 7 of this year, the Defense and Security Council adopted a draft decision on the inclusion of the Army of Montenegro in NATO activities, namely in the mission to provide assistance and training to Ukraine.

The members of the Council – which includes the President of the State, Jakov Milatović, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić – agreed that the Army's activities within the framework of this mission will only take place on the territory of one of the NATO member states.

However, the Parliament of Montenegro must decide on participation in this mission. /REL