Garcevic Publishes Report on Russia and Montenegro
Ambassador Vesko Garcevic, Professor of the Practice of International Relations at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, co-authored a recent report examining Russia’s strategy of destabilization in Montenegro.
The report, which Garcevic co-authored with Reuf Bajrovic and Richard Kraemer, was published by the Foreign Policy Research Institute on July 3, 2018. It is entitled “Hanging by a Thread: Russia’s Strategy of Destabilization in Montenegro.“
From the executive summary of the report:
In December 2015, Montenegro opted to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and in doing so categorcially rebuffed two years of Russian efforts to secure a port there for the replenishment and repair of Russian military vessels. Russia then embarked on a new strategy: stoking political and ethnic divisions to destabilize Montenegro and preclude further Western integration. In the Kremlin’s best-case scenario, a pro-Russia government would come to power and reverse Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic course. To this end, Russia coordinated with local opposition and Serb ethno-nationalists in an unsuccessful attempt to topple the democratically elected government of Montenegro in October 2016.
Despite the coup’s failure, the future of Montenegro’s progress toward Western integration remains uncertain. The institutional actors behind the failed coup attempt remain largely in place and steadfastly opposed to NATO membership. Should they come to power, they likely would withdraw Montenegro from the Alliance, retract its recognition of Kosovo, and potentially reunite with Serbia. Thus, to prevent the reversal of Montenegro’s Western trajectory, the U.S. and its NATO allies immediately must work to deepen their engagement with the country. Without undertaking measures to strengthen military cooperation, facilitate democratic reforms, accelerate the European Union accession process, and renew financial support for programs in the rule of law, the West is unprepared to counter Russia’s destabilizing efforts.
The report was highlighted in a July 3, 2018 article in Newsweek entitled “Exclusive: Russian Military Spies Backed Attempt to Assassinate Leader of Montenegro, Report Says.”
Radio Free Europe/Russian Service published an article entitled “Russia Will Continue to Destabilize Montenegro – Experts,” on the report on July 4, 2018.
Balkan Insight also highlighted the report in a July 4, 2018 article entitled “Russian Threat in Montenegro was Severe, Report.”
During his diplomatic career, Amb. Vesko Garcevic dealt with issues pertinent to European security and NATO for almost 14 years. In 2004, he was posted in Vienna to serve as Ambassador to Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He had been a Montenegro’s Ambassador to NATO from 2010 until 2014 and served as a Montenegro’s National Coordinator for NATO from 2015 until he joined the faculty at the Pardee School.