Montenegro Sees Significant Drop in Public Support for NATO Membership Amidst Rising Pro-Russian Influence

Public Support for NATO Membership Declines in Montenegro

A new survey conducted by the Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM) in Montenegro indicates a notable decrease in public support for the country's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The findings, released this month, show a nearly 9% drop in support compared to March of the previous year, with analysts largely attributing this trend to ongoing pro-Russian influences within the nation.

CEDEM Survey Highlights Shifting Public Opinion

The latest CEDEM survey, conducted between September 25 and October 6, 2025, among 1,006 adults, revealed that only 40.7% of Montenegrin citizens currently support NATO membership. This figure marks a significant decline from the 49.5% recorded in March 2024. Concurrently, opposition to NATO membership has risen sharply, increasing by over 11% to reach 42.1%, up from 30.7% in March 2024. Milena Ranitović, CEDEM's project coordinator, presented these results, noting a growing polarization in public attitudes. Historically, CEDEM surveys have shown consistent majority support for NATO membership from mid-2020 until March 2024.

Analysts Point to Pro-Russian Influences and Hybrid Threats

The decline in support is widely attributed by analysts to the persistent activities of pro-Russian and anti-NATO elements operating within Montenegro's political institutions and structures. The Atlantic Alliance of Montenegro stated that the actions of these groups are aimed at 'spreading suspicion, weakening citizens' trust, and relativizing the state's strategic goals'. A NATO official, speaking to Radio Free Europe, acknowledged that Montenegro faces 'continuous hybrid threats from Russian and foreign actors'. Dragan Samardzic, former Chief of the General Staff of the Montenegrin Army, suggested that the decrease is a complex outcome of global influences, internal political polarization, and inadequate communication from state institutions. He also warned that anti-Western campaigns are exploiting public frustrations to undermine ties with NATO.

Montenegro's Geopolitical Landscape and NATO Membership

Montenegro officially became the 29th member of NATO on June 5, 2017, following a decade-long pursuit of Euro-Atlantic integration. However, since its accession, Russia has intensified its pressure and influence in the country through various means, including hybrid activities, financial support for pro-Russian political parties, and strengthening its 'soft power'. Pro-Russian parties, such as the Democratic Front (now known as 'For the Future of Montenegro'), which have been part of ruling coalitions since mid-2020, openly oppose NATO membership. Andrija Mandić, a leader of this party, currently serves as the speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament. These developments underscore the ongoing geopolitical contest for influence in the Western Balkans.