Montenegro’s accession to NATO is the first expansion of the Alliance to the East over the past 6 years. Previously, it absorbed almost all Eastern European countries: the former Warsaw Pact countries and the Republic of Yugoslavia. Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia remains the exception.
The main reason of Montenegro’s accession is the geographical position of the country. After accepting Montenegro, Serbia, the traditional main continental force in the Balkans, is cut off from the Adriatic Sea and becomes landlocked. NATO continues to capture and divide the Orthodox space. The accession of Montenegro also has a symbolic character, preparing the possibility of Serbia joining the Alliance.
Most of the population of Montenegro is opposed to the accession into NATO. Since autumn last year, the cities across the country have hosted mass protests. The canonical Metropolis of Serbian Orthodox Church is sharply against NATO accession. An important stimulus for dissatisfied protests is the corrupt regime of Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, famous for his connections with international criminal organizations.
