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Montenegro's accession to Nato faces hurdle as US Senate session nears end
Source: The Guardian
Montenegro's accession to Nato faces hurdle as US Senate session nears end
The White House and Pentagon support the Balkan state
gaining membership but the Senate has yet to approve it
and Trump could oppose it as president
Spencer Ackerman in New York
Wednesday 7 December 2016 21.40 GMT
A behind-the-scenes drama over Montenegro’s accession to Nato is currently playing out on Capitol Hill.
The tiny Balkan state’s bid to become the 29th member of the alliance is strongly backed by the White House and the Pentagon, but its status is unresolved in the Senate, which will end its legislative session on Thursday.
And although the Senate can take up the Montenegro question in January, experts on European security are urging senators to ensure the US formally blesses the Nato expansion before Barack Obama leaves office on 20 January, to minimize the risk that Donald Trump will oppose it as president.
Russia opposes Montenegro’s accession, and Trump’s apparent tilt towards Russia – despite its recent aggressive moves in Ukraine – has caused great fear among Nato’s northern and eastern European member states.
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The White House and Pentagon support the Balkan state
gaining membership but the Senate has yet to approve it
and Trump could oppose it as president
Spencer Ackerman in New York
Wednesday 7 December 2016 21.40 GMT
A behind-the-scenes drama over Montenegro’s accession to Nato is currently playing out on Capitol Hill.
The tiny Balkan state’s bid to become the 29th member of the alliance is strongly backed by the White House and the Pentagon, but its status is unresolved in the Senate, which will end its legislative session on Thursday.
And although the Senate can take up the Montenegro question in January, experts on European security are urging senators to ensure the US formally blesses the Nato expansion before Barack Obama leaves office on 20 January, to minimize the risk that Donald Trump will oppose it as president.
Russia opposes Montenegro’s accession, and Trump’s apparent tilt towards Russia – despite its recent aggressive moves in Ukraine – has caused great fear among Nato’s northern and eastern European member states.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/07/montenegro-nato-us-senate-balkan-states-trump-russia