Croatian President Zoran Milanović refused to approve the participation of Croatian soldiers in a NATO mission to support Ukraine, according to bne IntelliNews.
Milanović said he wanted to avoid an expansion of the conflict and Croatia’s potential involvement in the war. He refused to approve the participation of Croatian soldiers in NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), pointing to the need to prioritise Croatia’s security.
The package includes the creation of the NSATU, which will aim to coordinate the delivery of military equipment and training to Ukraine by its allies.
Unfortunately, despite the huge military aid that Ukraine receives, the end of the war is not in sight, but there is a danger that the war will spread beyond the borders of Ukraine.
However, parliament can overturn Milanović’s decision with a two-thirds vote. Government officials criticised the president’s decision, accusing him of falsely claiming that the soldiers would be sent to Ukraine.
By participating in the activities of NSATU, a total of up to 5 Croatian officers would go to Wiesbaden, which is in Germany, and not in Ukraine, in the period of 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Croatia’s stance on the war in Ukraine is becoming an increasingly acute political issue, with the presidential elections approaching at the end of the year.
