Relationship dossier
Montenegro
United States
Relationship assessment
NATO allies with sustained U.S. support for Montenegro’s security and Euro-Atlantic integration
Montenegro toward United States
+55Montenegro joined NATO in 2017 and has aligned with U.S. and allied policy, including sanctions against Russia. These actions reflect substantive security and policy cooperation with the United States.
United States toward Montenegro
+65The United States recognized Montenegro’s independence in 2006, supported its NATO accession, and has provided security and other assistance. This has contributed to Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic integration and bilateral cooperation.
Overall relationship
+60The relationship is structured by Montenegro’s NATO membership and sustained U.S. support for its security and Euro-Atlantic integration. Montenegro’s alignment with U.S. and allied policies reinforces cooperation. The partnership is substantial, although the scope of bilateral programs beyond these areas is less clear.
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 and the United States have a close security relationship anchored in Montenegro’s NATO membership. Montenegro has aligned with major U.S. and allied policies, including sanctions against Russia, while the United States supported Montenegro’s independence and NATO accession and provides security and other assistance. The relationship is cooperative, though the extent and implementation of specific bilateral programs are not fully clear.
Key developments
The United States recognized Montenegro as an independent state.
Montenegro became a member of NATO.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and recent implementation of bilateral security and assistance programs are unclear.
- The extent of current bilateral policy coordination beyond NATO and sanctions alignment is uncertain.