Russia strikes back at Montenegro

“Accordingly, Montenegrin citizens will also have to obtain visas to travel to Russia. This decision by Podgorica is clearly detrimental to Montenegro’s interests,” Zakharova told Izvestia, commenting on the introduction of a visa regime for Russian citizens starting November 1.

As she put it, “in the name of European aspirations, longstanding achievements in Russian-Montenegrin relations are being constantly destroyed, while the economic consequences of such steps are not receiving due consideration.”

According to her, Podgorica’s new measures will reduce tourist flows from Russia, harm Montenegrin businesses, and lead to a deterioration of the country’s investment climate.

“At the same time, of course, it is pointless for the Montenegrin authorities to expect Brussels to compensate them for the inevitable losses,” she added.

Zakharova said that the process of EU integration, which prompted Montenegro to introduce visas for Russian citizens, “no longer offers any possibility for new member states to maintain a neutral status.”

“We hope that the countries of the Western Balkans will take note of these changes within the EU, analyze them, and clearly understand the consequences of European integration for their own national interests and the well-being of their citizens,” the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson concluded.