Montenegro joins EU military training mission for Ukrainian troops

Montenegro’s Parliament voted on 12 June overwhelmingly for the country to participate in the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), marking a significant step in the country’s alignment with EU defense initiatives and solidarity with Ukraine.

The decision, approved by 49 of 81 MPs with three abstentions and no votes against, enables Montenegrin Armed Forces personnel to contribute to training Ukrainian troops on EU soil.

The vote reflectswidespread political consensus, with backing from diverse parties, including 18 of 20 MPs from the Europe Now movement, 6 of 9 from New Serbian Democracy, all 7 Democrats, 5 of 6 from the Bosniak Party, and representatives from the Social Democrats, CIVIS Citizens’ Initiative, Albanian Forum, Democratic Party of Socialists, and Croatian Civic Initiative. The three abstentions came from the Democratic People’s Party.

Defence Minister Dragan Krapović emphasized that EUMAM Ukraine focuses on training Ukrainian forces in critical areas such as chemical and nuclear defense, medical support, demining, and operational unit preparation. He clarified that no Montenegrin troops would be deployed to Ukraine, with all activities occurring on EU territory, primarily in Poland and Germany.

“I want this to be absolutely clear. I would never support deploying troops to Ukrainian territory,” Krapović stated.

Launched in October 2022 with a mandate through November 2026, EUMAM Ukraine has trained approximately 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers, with 24 EU member states contributing personnel and resources. Montenegro’s involvement enhances its role as a NATO member and EU candidate, aligning with the EU’s broader effort to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.

The decision, initially proposed nine months ago, faced delays attributed to Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić, whose party opposes NATO membership and sanctions against Russia. Montenegro, a NATO member since 2017 under the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), has navigated internal political tensions. The DPS noted that 90% of the current parliamentary majority did not support NATO accession, reflecting ongoing divisions. Despite this, the approval marks a step toward aligning with EU defense initiatives.

Broader support for Ukraine

Montenegro’s participation in EUMAM Ukraine complements its involvement in NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) program. On February 7, 2025, Montenegro’s Defence and Security Council, including President Jakov Milatović, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, and Speaker Mandić, agreed to join NSATU, limiting activities to NATO territory. The parliament will finalize this decision.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Montenegro has provided nine military aid packages to Kyiv. In December 2024, Prime Minister Spajić announced the deployment of two military personnel to NSATU in Germany, reinforcing Montenegro’s support for Ukraine.

Montenegro’s government approved on 4 June a protocol of intent with By Light Professional IT Services LLC, supported by the U.S. Embassy, to produce and transfer multifunctional UAVs to Ukraine. The initiative, backed by $15 million in U.S. Foreign Military Financing, aims to equip Montenegro’s army while supporting NATO and Ukraine. The agreement, involving electronic intelligence, surveillance, target detection, electronic warfare systems, and weapons, is set for finalization in September 2025. Eight ministries, the Civil Aviation Agency, and Airfields of Montenegro will collaborate, with 4WINDS LLC registered for operations.

Strategic implications

Montenegro’s participation in EUMAM Ukraine and NSATU, alongside its drone production initiative, underscores its role as a NATO member and EU candidate. The resolution emphasizes strengthening Ukraine’s Armed Forces to defend its territorial integrity and deter Russian aggression. However, opposition voices and Russia’s stance – labeling Western arms supplies as escalatory – highlight the geopolitical complexities. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called such support “playing with fire,” claiming it makes NATO a direct participant in the conflict.

Montenegro is widely regarded as a frontrunner among Western Balkan countries for European Union membership, with a target date of 2028 often cited by its leaders and EU officials. European Council President Costa noted in May that Montenegro and Albania are “clearly more advanced” than Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.

Over 80% of Montenegro’s population supports EU membership, and most political parties publicly back integration, providing strong domestic legitimacy for the process. President Jakov Milatović and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić have consistently emphasised 2028 as the target for becoming the EU’s 28th member state.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has accelerated EU interest in Western Balkan integration as a means of securing regional stability. Montenegro’s pro-EU stance and recognition of Kosovo (unlike Serbia) position it as a reliable partner in this context.

Montenegro’s actions reflect a balancing act: advancing its Euro-Atlantic integration while navigating domestic political divides and regional tensions. The country’s commitment to training Ukrainian forces and supplying advanced equipment positions it as an active contributor to European security.

Caption: Ukrainian soldiers take part in military maneuvers at the Sierra del Retin training camp of the Spanish Army in Barbate town, Cadiz province, southern Spain, 16 May 2024. A group of 80 Ukrainian military personnel get in this camp basic military instruction, from combat shooting to throwing grenades from trenches, within the framework of the Military Assistance Mission of the European Union in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA). EPA/ROMAN RIOS