Russian strategy of undermining NATO’s expansion has not yielded results, former US deputy assistant secretary of defence Michael Carpenter told Voice of America (VOA). He is one of the US officials who have significantly contributed to the affirmation of Montenegro’s integration into the Western military alliance.
“It is a very important decision, which rewards a country that has implemented tough reforms to meet conditions for membership in NATO. This will help to close the door for Russia’s meddling,” he said.
The Montenegro’s NATO Accession Protocol needs to be signed by president Donald Trump. Carpenter is clear – there Trump will undoubtedly sign the document.
“I think it’s a done deal at this point. Of course I cannot predict president Trump’s moves in respect of any matter, but his national security advisor H. R. McMaster, secretary of state Rex Tillerson and defence secretary James Mattis supported Montenegro’s membership in NATO, so that the United States virtually ratified the protocol,” he said.
Discussing the protocol, senators emphasised that Montenegro’s accession would prevent spreading threats coming from Russia. As Carpenter says, this issue should be seen in both short term and long term.
“In the short term, I expect that Russia will continue political subversion, not only in Montenegro, but also in Europe, especially in countries where elections have been scheduled for this year. It will also continue its activities in the United States, where it was meddling in last year’s elections. In fact, Russia is increasingly using political subversion methods. In the long term, Montenegro’s membership in NATO will teach Russia a lesson that in this case the negative consequences exceed the benefits from the perspective of the Kremlin, and that its strategy of undermining NATO expansion has not yielded results and that we are committed to accept the countries which meet the conditions for membership,” he said.
Carpenter also explains the benefits of Montenegro’s membership in the alliance.
“The greatest benefit for NATO is the fact that we help in securing and stabilising the Western Balkans. More stable and safer region, as a result of Montenegro’s integration into NATO is of the essential interests of the United States and even more of our European allies. Montenegro has a small armed forces and its capacities are small compared with the one NATO already has, but it is important for the region. It also sends a message to the countries that implement democratic reforms, reforming the rule of law and their troops, that they can become the alliance members because they share the same principles. This is the case with Montenegro,” he said.
