The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro distanced itself from the statement of Aleksandar Obradović, Chargé d'Affaires of the Montenegrin Embassy in Russia, stating that it did not reflect the state's foreign policy orientation.
Obradović said at the International Forum "Balkan Dialogue 2025: Montenegro and Russia" on March 10 in St. Petersburg that Russia and Montenegro are two countries, one soul:
"Our peoples are connected by something stronger than current politics, more permanent than documents and agreements. We are united by a common faith, a sense of justice and honor. We are connected by history. Russia and Montenegro - two countries, one soul. Two peoples, one heart. The path that was trodden long ago must not be lost, despite the current state of interstate relations."
Montenegro, a NATO member since 2017 and a candidate for EU membership, in line with Brussels' foreign policy, has imposed sanctions on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.
When asked by Radio Free Europe, the Ministry stated that Obradović's statement "does not reflect the foreign policy orientation of Montenegro."
"It was given without consultation and consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is why appropriate steps have been taken in relation to the aforementioned procedure," the response states.
Obradović did not respond to RFE/RL's inquiry sent on March 14 regarding the controversial statement and possible consequences.
The Ministry stated that Obradović holds the position of Third Secretary at the Embassy of Montenegro in Moscow, who, as the only diplomat currently in that diplomatic mission, is temporarily performing the duty of Chargé d'Affaires.
There is no information on the Ministry's website about his previous work or biography.
The position of chargé d'affaires is used when an ambassador has not been appointed or is absent.
Montenegro has had problems filling its diplomatic network since the change of government in 2020, after which the previous ambassadors were replaced. It currently has no ambassadors appointed to about twenty countries, including Moscow.
In March 2024, the candidate for Montenegrin ambassador to Russia, Miloš Radinović, withdrew his candidacy after it was revealed that he had Russian citizenship and political ties to the Rodina party, which is allied with Vladimir Putin's United Russia.
Since then, a new proposal for the position of ambassador to Moscow has been awaited, which, based on party agreements, "belonged" to the pro-Russian Democratic People's Party of Milan Knežević.
This party advocates lifting sanctions on Russia, withdrawing recognition of Kosovo, and leaving NATO.
Relations between Montenegro and Russia through the years
Since declaring independence in 2006, Montenegro has had good relations with Russia.
Until 2014, when, due to Russia's annexation of Crimea, it joined European sanctions against Moscow, harmonizing its foreign policy with the European Union.
They were further aggravated after the Special State Prosecutor's Office indicted two Russian citizens, eight Serbs, and the leaders of the pro-Russian Democratic Front, Milan Knežević and Andrija Mandić, for attempting a violent change of government in Montenegro in October 2016.
The case is linked to an attempt to prevent Montenegro from joining NATO.
A year later, Montenegro became a member of NATO, which was harshly criticized by official Moscow.
The Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) was in power at the time, but was removed in 2020. All defendants who were convicted in the first instance in 2019 were acquitted in a new trial in 2024.
The leaders of the Democratic Front have been part of the new parliamentary majority since 2020.
When the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine, Montenegro did the same, following Brussels' foreign policy.
In March 2022, Moscow included Montenegro on the list of foreign states that "carry out hostile actions against Russia, Russian legal entities and individuals."
During that period, Montenegro expelled five Russian diplomats, citing that their activities were in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
As a countermeasure, on March 24, Russia declared a diplomat from the Montenegrin embassy in Moscow persona non grata.
However, since the arrival of pro-Russian cadres from the parties of the former Democratic Front to numerous positions in the state, including the appointment of Andrija Mandić as the head of parliament, there have been no political confrontations between official Moscow and Podgorica.
These parties advocate for the lifting of sanctions against Russia.
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