Relationship dossier
Montenegro
Russia
Relationship assessment
Montenegro's NATO and sanctions policies have contributed to sustained tension with Russia.
Montenegro toward Russia
-45Montenegro joined NATO in 2017, aligned with EU sanctions against Russia, and expelled Russian diplomats in 2022. These government actions have contributed to a confrontational relationship with Moscow.
Russia toward Montenegro
-45Russia opposed Montenegro's NATO accession and included Montenegro among countries it deemed unfriendly in 2022, reflecting a strained Russian government stance toward Podgorica.
Overall relationship
-45The relationship is shaped chiefly by Montenegro's integration into NATO and its alignment with sanctions against Russia, alongside Russia's opposition to Montenegro's NATO accession and its unfriendly-country designation. These durable security-policy disagreements outweigh the evidence of cooperation in the bilateral relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Montenegro's NATO membership and alignment with EU sanctions against Russia have placed its government on an adversarial footing with Moscow. Montenegro also expelled Russian diplomats in 2022. Russia opposed Montenegro's NATO accession and included Montenegro among countries it deemed unfriendly in 2022. These policies and actions define the relationship, though the broader scope of bilateral engagement is less clear.
Areas of tension
- Montenegro's NATO accession and Russia's opposition to it
- Montenegro's alignment with sanctions against Russia
- Montenegro's 2022 expulsion of Russian diplomats and Russia's unfriendly-country designation
Key developments
Montenegro joined NATO, a move opposed by Russia.
Montenegro aligned with EU sanctions against Russia and expelled Russian diplomats.
Russia included Montenegro among countries it deemed unfriendly.
Major uncertainties
- The scope of bilateral cooperation outside security and sanctions issues is unclear.
- The extent and practical effects of Russia's measures toward Montenegro are unclear.