Croatian President Rules Out Deployment of Troops to Ukraine
Zoran Milanović emphasizes Croatia's non-participation in military missions involving Ukraine.
Croatian President Zoran Milanović has reiterated his firm stance against the deployment of Croatian troops to Ukraine, stating that such an action is 'completely excluded.' In a recent Facebook post, Milanović emphasized, 'Croatian soldiers will not go to Ukraine under any circumstances.' He expressed his belief that several key ministers in Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's government share his view.
Milanović cautioned against self-deception in national defense matters, asserting, 'The Croatian army will not participate in any mission, and one reason is that such a mission will never occur with or without Croatia, as the elemental conditions—such as a peace agreement and the consent of the other party, which unfortunately is Russia—are not met.'
He clarified that while Croatia will not participate in military efforts, the government is still free to continue providing material and logistical support to Ukraine if it deems necessary.
'I am responsible for Croatia's defense, national security, and territorial integrity, as stated in the Constitution,' he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Plenković has traveled to Paris to participate in discussions with representatives from approximately 30 countries at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
The meeting aims to explore potential security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement with Russia, and it marks the third summit of the 'coalition of the willing,' which is composed of nations ready to offer security guarantees in the case of a peaceful resolution.
Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anušić recently stated that Croatia 'will not rush' into this coalition and reiterated that there are no current plans to deploy Croatian soldiers.
He mentioned that any decisions regarding military involvement would involve consultations among the Prime Minister, the President, and the Croatian Parliament, but affirmed that it is not an immediate issue.
In previous communications, Plenković has accused Milanović of acting as a Russian player by undermining Croatia's credibility within the European Union and NATO.
However, in recent times, he has refrained from continuing this rhetoric.
Milanović cautioned against self-deception in national defense matters, asserting, 'The Croatian army will not participate in any mission, and one reason is that such a mission will never occur with or without Croatia, as the elemental conditions—such as a peace agreement and the consent of the other party, which unfortunately is Russia—are not met.'
He clarified that while Croatia will not participate in military efforts, the government is still free to continue providing material and logistical support to Ukraine if it deems necessary.
'I am responsible for Croatia's defense, national security, and territorial integrity, as stated in the Constitution,' he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Plenković has traveled to Paris to participate in discussions with representatives from approximately 30 countries at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
The meeting aims to explore potential security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement with Russia, and it marks the third summit of the 'coalition of the willing,' which is composed of nations ready to offer security guarantees in the case of a peaceful resolution.
Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anušić recently stated that Croatia 'will not rush' into this coalition and reiterated that there are no current plans to deploy Croatian soldiers.
He mentioned that any decisions regarding military involvement would involve consultations among the Prime Minister, the President, and the Croatian Parliament, but affirmed that it is not an immediate issue.
In previous communications, Plenković has accused Milanović of acting as a Russian player by undermining Croatia's credibility within the European Union and NATO.
However, in recent times, he has refrained from continuing this rhetoric.
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