DPS leader Milo Djukanovic said that Montenegro never made any hasty move to harm the traditional good relations with Russia and that their deterioration was caused by turmoil at the global scene.
“During the disintegration of Yugoslavia, Moscow showed its friendship to Montenegro through humanitarian aid and in other ways. It was particularly emphasised during the preparations for Montenegro’s independence restoration. President Vladimir Putin and I talked about that very openly and Russia was one the first countries to recognise Montenegro’s independence,” Djukanovic said.
He also said that he duly informed Russian president about Montenegro’s intention to engage in Euro-Atlantic integrations. Putin asked if that was really necessary for Montenegro. Djukanovic justified it with the necessity of establishing stability throughout the Balkans.
Commenting on the statements of Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov that he owes something to Russia, Djukanovic was clear – he owes nothing to it.
“Moscow apparently expected that I would give up my state for the sake of Russia’s interests and to bring Montenegro in that direction. My ‘debt’ to Russia is that I did not betray Montenegro,” Djukanovic said.
Djukanovic said he regretted Lavrov believed at all that Montenegrin membership in NATO was a repayment of the debt to the West.
“I repeat: I do not have debts either in the West or in the East! Russia and Brussels and Washington know that very well,” Djukanovic said.
Djukanovic also claimed that Serbian security agencies had detailed files on the plan for executing terrorist activities in Montenegro dating back to long before 16 October last year. He said that he documents contain credible information on all participants in the plans, from Serbia, Montenegro and Russia, with names.
