Kremlin: Russia reserves the right to respond to Montenegro’s entry into NATO
Against the background of the formal completion of the procedure for Montenegro's entry into NATO, Moscow reserves the right to retaliate in relation to Podgorica’s hostile actions, as stated in comments by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, which were posted on the department’s website.
"The continuing anti-Russian hysteria in Montenegro causes us only regrets. In light of the hostile line of Montenegrin authorities, the Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures on the basis of reciprocity, "the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Responsibility for the current situation lies entirely with the Montenegrin side, the department added.
"In view of Montenegro’s unprovoked initiative to join the EU’s anti-Russian measures which have been taken since March 2014, the Russian Federation has taken symmetric steps since August 2015," the report says.
On June 5, Montenegro officially became the 29th member of the North Atlantic Alliance. Montenegrin authorities officially handed over an act on joining the alliance to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon.