State secretary of MFA Periša Kastratović in Kyiv: Montenegro's full support for Ukraine

State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Periša Kastratović, participated in the ministerial meeting "Ukraine – Southeast Europe" in Kyiv, at the invitation of Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha.

As part of the program, meetings were held with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, and Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov.

Ukrainian officials expressed gratitude to the countries of Southeast Europe for their support in defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, grounded in the principles of international law. "Russia's aggression against Ukraine is not just an attack on a sovereign state, a UN member, but also an assault on the values of democracy, an attempt to undermine the global order based on law, and a violation of the right to self-determination. Therefore, supporting Ukraine represents a steadfast defense of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter," they emphasized in their addresses.

At the plenary meeting hosted by Foreign Minister Sybiha, officials from Southeast European countries presented the actions taken over the past three years to strengthen Ukraine’s position in resisting Russian military aggression.

It was confirmed that Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic perspective remains the optimal framework for its post-war recovery, ensuring peace and stability within internationally recognized borders. The conclusion was that a free, prosperous, and peaceful Ukraine is the cornerstone of a free, peaceful, and prosperous Europe.

Kastratović highlighted Montenegro’s continuous political, military, humanitarian, and financial assistance to Ukraine in addressing the consequences of aggression, both bilaterally and through various multilateral mechanisms. He recalled that Montenegro has adopted all EU sanction packages against the Russian Federation, fully aligning itself with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. He concluded that as a frontrunner in the European integration process and a responsible NATO member, Montenegro strongly supports Ukraine’s aspirations for EU and NATO membership, further strengthening bilateral ties and reinforcing interstate friendship.

During his visit to Kyiv, State Secretary Kastratović, along with other high-ranking officials, laid a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance for the victims of war.

The participants of the ministerial meeting adopted a Joint Statement, and the visit provided an opportunity for representatives of the foreign ministries of Southeast European countries to familiarize themselves with the latest technological advancements of Ukraine’s defense industry, developed for deterrence and protection against Russian military aggression.

Alongside Montenegro, representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Moldova, Romania, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Turkey also took part.