http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/wo...ntry-lfgx7c8nd
Russia issued a warning to the White House yesterday as expectations grew that President Trump supports the prospect of the tiny Balkan state of Montenegro joining Nato.
Michael Flynn, the US national security adviser, was said to be in favour of allowing Montenegro, once part of Yugoslavia, to join the western military alliance.
Asked about Mr Flynn’s position, a Kremlin spokesman said: “The Russian attitude to the further eastward enlargement of Nato is well known: this attitude is negative.”
Montenegro was invited to join the alliance in 2015 and its membership is due to be ratified by Nato member states this spring. All but five of the 28 have given their assent. The Montenegro parliament must also ratify the move and polling suggests the electorate is divided.
Mr Trump would like to improve relations with Moscow but he has warned that there was no guarantee that he and President Putin would build a friendly relationship.
On Nato, Mr Trump has given mixed signals. He has told Theresa May that he stands behind the alliance while complaining that members were skimping on defence budgets and warning that Nato risked becoming “obsolete”.
Two thirds of the US Senate must agree for Montenegro to join the Nato treaty. However, Mr Trump effectively has the power to veto it.
Montenegro’s main opposition party is pushing for a referendum on Nato membership, with the support of Russia.
Russia issued a warning to the White House yesterday as expectations grew that President Trump supports the prospect of the tiny Balkan state of Montenegro joining Nato.
Michael Flynn, the US national security adviser, was said to be in favour of allowing Montenegro, once part of Yugoslavia, to join the western military alliance.
Asked about Mr Flynn’s position, a Kremlin spokesman said: “The Russian attitude to the further eastward enlargement of Nato is well known: this attitude is negative.”
Montenegro was invited to join the alliance in 2015 and its membership is due to be ratified by Nato member states this spring. All but five of the 28 have given their assent. The Montenegro parliament must also ratify the move and polling suggests the electorate is divided.
Mr Trump would like to improve relations with Moscow but he has warned that there was no guarantee that he and President Putin would build a friendly relationship.
On Nato, Mr Trump has given mixed signals. He has told Theresa May that he stands behind the alliance while complaining that members were skimping on defence budgets and warning that Nato risked becoming “obsolete”.
Two thirds of the US Senate must agree for Montenegro to join the Nato treaty. However, Mr Trump effectively has the power to veto it.
Montenegro’s main opposition party is pushing for a referendum on Nato membership, with the support of Russia.
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