Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović touts Nato membership for Ukraine

Ukrainian NATO membership will “definitely” be discussed among the alliance, President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović has told Euronews. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for NATO countries to immediately offer a formal invitation for NATO membership as part of his Victory plan, and as part of any future negotiations to end the Russian war. 

 Although Milatović said his country supports Ukrainian NATO membership, he stopped short of saying an invite should be immediate, or contingent on peace talks with Russia. 

“We supported the NATO decision last year to elevate the relationship with Ukraine, we also have launched the so-called NATO mechanism for support of Ukraine,” he said. 

“So, these are all very important steps when it comes to the just peace in Ukraine, which is ultimately what the goal is,” he told Euronews’ Europe Conversation. 

In June, allies formally affirmed Ukraine is on an “irreversible path” to NATO membership, and announced a new package of military supports including an array of weapons, F-16’s, and a wide-ranging plan for interoperability, as part of NATO’s 75th anniversary conference in Washington DC. 

However, Kyiv believes a potential ceasefire, and eventual end to the war can only materialise if unoccupied territories of Ukraine are secured under NATO protection as a full ally. 

Several countries have refused to support Ukrainian membership, saying the Ukrainian army hasn’t yet met NATO standards to join the alliance. 

Others believe such a move would further escalate already deep tensions with Russia. 

“This is definitely going to be among important discussions that are going to be held between the current NATO members, especially ahead of the of the next summit in The Hague,” said Milatović.