Montenegro’s NSD Affirms No Troops Will Enter Ukraine Amid Controversy

The spokesperson for the Nova srpska demokratija (NSD), Mirko Miličić, has firmly stated that no members of the Montenegro Army will set foot in Ukraine or Russia. Instead, troops will remain stationed in Germany, approximately 2,500 km from the front lines. This declaration comes after the NSD supported a parliamentary decision to send Montenegrin soldiers as part of a NATO mission to assist Ukraine, a move that faced opposition from the Democratic People’s Party (DNP).

In a recent statement, Miličić remarked on the spread of “tragicomic spins and allegations directed at the NSD” regarding the deployment of soldiers. He emphasized that the repeated narrative suggesting Montenegrin troops would be sent to Ukraine is “notorious misinformation.” He asserted, “No member of the Montenegro Army will go to Ukraine or any war-torn area, nor will they step onto the territory of Ukraine or Russia.”

Following the parliamentary decision, local media in Montenegro reported that the assembly had approved troop participation in the NATO mission supporting Ukraine. However, only the portal Borba claimed that soldiers would be deployed directly to Ukraine. The headline from Borba read, “Knežević and DNP refuse to support the sending of Montenegrin soldiers to NATO’s mission in Ukraine!”

Miličić expressed concern that the strengthening of the NSD and responsible governance was causing anxiety among certain political factions that aim to exploit the party for their interests. He stated, “While we do not contest the right of others to make decisions as they wish, we would appreciate it if similar respect was accorded to us.”

The spokesperson reiterated that the NSD would not permit Montenegrin military personnel to become embroiled in conflicts. “It is also clear that the NSD would never allow our two soldiers at the base in Visbaden, Germany, 2,500 km from the front, to be drawn into any conflict,” he added. Miličić highlighted the party’s commitment to peace, stating their desire is to resolve the conflict between the two brotherly Orthodox nations amicably, believing it will soon be addressed at the highest level.

He underscored that the resolution of this conflict lies with major powers, and Montenegro’s role should focus on safeguarding the interests and well-being of its citizens during these turbulent times. “Our advocacy for peace and dialogue is at the core of our policy,” he asserted, emphasizing the NSD’s commitment to responsible governance, contrasting their approach with others who might believe that aggressive rhetoric can help end the war.

Miličić’s statements reflect a broader political landscape in Montenegro, where decisions regarding military involvement in international conflicts can provoke significant debate and division among political parties and the public.