Montenegro and NATO: only one step left

The US Senate voted by an overwhelming majority to endorse Montenegro’s bid for the country’s accession to NATO, thereby opening the way to the military alliance for the Balkan state.

On March 27, 97 senators voted to end the debate and the right to a referendum at the conclusion of this week on the ratification of Montenegro’s membership in NATO.

Only two votes against expressed Republican senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee.

The final referendum will be held in the upper house of Congress. After that, Spain will be the only country in the alliance with 28 members who will have to approve the application of Montenegro regarding official membership.

US support concerning the Montenegrin plan to join the alliance was felt quite strongly, although certain observers assumed that President Donald Trump’s loyal rhetoric over the Russian Federation could serve as a reason for weakening support for NATO expansion.

Experts argue that the membership of Montenegro in NATO will bring the state closer to the political and economic structures of Europe and, in addition, will increase irritation from the Kremlin, against the expansion of the military alliance.