Russia angry over US move on Montenegro NATO membership

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Russia on Thursday criticized the U.S. for signing a protocol which will start Montenegro’s path to NATO membership.

"We view this step as a sign of inertia in Washington’s policies and a reflection of the logic of confrontation in Europe, where new dividing lines are being drawn," Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Moscow said the effort to involve the tiny Balkan state in NATO "disregarded" the real opinion of Montenegro’s people.

"We regard the policy of including Montenegro in NATO as profoundly erroneous," it added.

The ministry also said it would damage the stability of the Balkans and Europe as a whole.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed the instrument of ratification on Tuesday, the White House said.

"The U.S. will work to further strengthen our already strong relationship with Montenegro and looks forward to formally welcoming the country as the 29th member of NATO," it said.

Keeping Montenegro out of Western block was important for Russia as it was a former Yugoslav republic. The U.S., for its part, wants to have the country in the alliance to keep its strength in the region against Moscow.