Montenegro’s NSD Denies Troop Deployment to Ukraine Amid Controversy

Mirko Milicic, spokesperson for the Nova srpska demokratija (NSD), has firmly stated that no members of the Montenegrin Armed Forces will be deployed to Ukraine or Russia. Instead, he emphasized that soldiers will remain stationed in Germany, approximately 2,500 km from the front lines. This declaration follows the NSD’s recent support in the Montenegrin Parliament for sending troops to assist Ukraine as part of a NATO mission. In contrast, the Democratic People’s Party (DNP) opposed this move.

Milicic criticized what he described as a “tragicomic spin” circulating from various sources regarding the alleged deployment of Montenegrin soldiers. He addressed ongoing narratives suggesting that Montenegrin troops would enter Ukraine, calling these claims “notorious falsehoods.” He reiterated that no member of the Montenegrin military would step foot in Ukraine or any other war-affected region.

Following the parliamentary decision, local media reported that the Montenegrin Parliament had approved the participation of soldiers in NATO’s support mission for Ukraine. Notably, only the portal Borba claimed that troops would be sent to Ukraine, stating, “Knezevic and DNP refused to support sending Montenegrin soldiers to NATO’s mission in Ukraine!”

Milicic further remarked that the strengthening of the NSD, along with responsible governance and decision-making for the benefit of the community, seems to provoke anxiety among those who wish to exploit the political organization for their personal interests. He emphasized, “While we do not dispute others’ right to make their own decisions, we would greatly appreciate similar respect when it comes to us.”

He assured that the NSD would not permit members of the Montenegrin Armed Forces to be drawn into conflicts. “It is also clear that the NSD would never allow our two soldiers, stationed at the base in Visbaden, Germany, 2,500 km from the front, to be involved in any conflict,” Milicic stated. He expressed the desire for peace between the two Orthodox nations and expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved at the highest levels, similar to how discussions began in Alaska.

Milicic asserted that the world, including Montenegro, understands that this conflict will ultimately be resolved by major powers. He declared that it is the duty of Montenegro to focus on the interests and safety of its citizens during these turbulent times. He stated, “Advocating for peace and dialogue is at the core of our policy,” adding that the NSD remains committed to these principles, in contrast to others who believe that aggressive rhetoric will bring an end to the war.