In a move widely seen as direct interference in the sovereign affairs of Montenegro and its relations with Pristina, the pro-Russian politician Aleksandar Vulin launched a scathing attack on the Montenegrin state’s recognition of Kosovo.
By praising a symbolic “derecognition” resolution passed by the local municipality of Zeta, Vulin has reignited the long-standing and sensitive ethnic divisions between Montenegrins and Serbs within Montenegro.
Fueling Regional Instability
Vulin’s comments appear designed to undermine the relationship between Podgorica and Pristina while emboldening nationalist elements within Montenegro. His rhetoric targeted the very foundation of the Montenegrin state’s pro-Western foreign policy:
- Undermining Sovereignty: Vulin described the Montenegrin government as “anti-Serbian” for its 2008 recognition of Kosovo, claiming the state has lost its historical “heroism” and “honor.”
- Stoking Internal Divisions: By framing the Zeta resolution as an act that “returns dignity to the Serbs,” Vulin is accused of trying to inflict further damage on the fragile social fabric of Montenegro, where the identity debate between Serbs and Montenegrins remains a major political flashpoint.
Interference in Podgorica-Prishtina Ties
Vulin, known for his close ties to the Kremlin, utilized archaic and inflammatory language to suggest that local municipalities should ignore the state’s international obligations. Critics argue that this is a deliberate attempt to:
- Destabilize the Region: By encouraging local units to defy national foreign policy regarding Kosovo.
- Export the “Serbian World” Agenda: Using the Kosovo issue as a wedge to influence Montenegrin internal politics.
Exploiting Historical Traumas
Invoking the 19th-century poetry of Njegoš and the myth of Miloš Obilić, Vulin sought to transform a diplomatic dispute into a moral and ethnic crusade. His use of the phrase “cleansing the mange from the fold” (trijebimo gubu iz torina)—a highly controversial quote—has been interpreted by regional observers as an aggressive signal toward those who support Montenegro’s independent and pro-European path.
While the Zeta resolution carries no legal weight, Vulin’s high-profile endorsement serves as a reminder of the persistent efforts to keep the Balkans entangled in ethnic friction and to prevent the normalization of relations between Kosovo and its neighbors.
