Montenegro Seeks EU Help to Combat Russian Interference

Montenegro’s President Seeks EU Support Against Russian Disinformation Campaign

Montenegro has called on the European Union to provide greater assistance in combating Russian disinformation as the Balkan nation continues its journey toward EU membership. In an exclusive interview with POLITICO in Brussels, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović highlighted the growing threat posed by targeted misinformation campaigns designed to derail the country’s accession process.

“I’m very much hoping that in the future we would be getting bigger support from the EU to really fight disinformation and misinformation,” Milatović stated during his visit to meet with European Council President António Costa. The president confirmed he had already presented this request to various EU policymakers and member states.

Montenegro, which gained independence from Serbia in 2006, has set an ambitious target of achieving full EU membership by 2028. The nation has been an official candidate since 2010 and joined NATO in 2017, signaling its commitment to Western alliances despite historical ties to Russia.

The small Adriatic nation of approximately 620,000 people finds itself increasingly in the crosshairs of geopolitical information warfare. President Milatović revealed he encounters disinformation “on a daily basis,” suggesting a coordinated effort to undermine Montenegro’s European integration.

“Sometimes, I feel that pro-European politicians in the region of the Western Balkans are a bit left alone by partners in the EU,” Milatović lamented, pointing to a perceived lack of support for leaders championing European values in the region.

The president’s concerns come as Russia has intensified efforts to maintain influence in the Western Balkans, a region it has historically considered within its sphere of interest. Montenegro’s decision to join NATO in 2017 was met with significant opposition from Moscow, including alleged involvement in a 2016 coup attempt aimed at preventing the alliance membership.

The EU has already taken similar measures to support Moldova, another candidate country facing Kremlin interference. Last month, the bloc deployed its newly formed cyber reserve—a team of private-sector cybersecurity experts—to the Moldovan capital Chişinău. The initiative included millions in funding to establish a specialized hub focused on countering disinformation.

Montenegro’s case highlights the evolving nature of obstacles to EU enlargement. Beyond traditional challenges of meeting accession criteria and implementing reforms, candidate countries now face sophisticated information warfare designed to sow public discord and undermine pro-European sentiment.

Security analysts note that Russian disinformation tactics in the region typically exploit historical grievances, religious affiliations, and economic concerns to portray the EU as a threat to national sovereignty and cultural identity. These campaigns often operate through local media outlets, social networks, and political proxies with ties to Moscow.

“Malign influence from third countries” represents a significant risk to Montenegro’s EU accession process, according to Milatović, who urged Brussels to adopt a more proactive stance in addressing these challenges.

The country’s strategic location on the Adriatic Sea and its ongoing political transformation make it particularly valuable in the context of EU expansion. As one of the more advanced candidates among Western Balkan nations, Montenegro has opened all negotiation chapters but faces challenges in areas including rule of law, media freedom, and fighting corruption.

Experts suggest that targeted EU support for Montenegro could include enhanced media literacy programs, funding for independent journalism, specialized training for government officials in strategic communication, and greater technical assistance to detect and counter foreign information operations.

As the EU reconsiders its enlargement strategy in light of geopolitical developments, Montenegro’s call for support against disinformation underscores the new frontiers in the accession process and the evolving nature of challenges facing aspiring member states in Europe’s contested neighborhoods.