US position on Montenegro accession to NATO is early test of Trump willingness to defy Putin’s Russia – MarketWatch

The Trump administration is moving to back Montenegros bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, according to senior U.S. officials, a decision that could both bolster the Western alliance and antagonize Russia.

The likely move would take place in a rapidly evolving political and diplomatic climate, in which President Donald Trump is steadfastly backing improved ties with Moscow but maintaining for now U.S. strictures imposed in recent years against the Kremlin.

The Russian government has vehemently opposed Montenegro joining NATO, keeping with its longstanding opposition to the alliances expansion. Montenegrin officials have publicly accused the Kremlin of trying to deter its membership by instigating an attempted coup against the government in October. Moscow has denied the charge.

Formal U.S. backing for the Balkan nations admission could emerge as the first flashpoint between Washington and Moscow since Trump took office, current and former U.S. officials said. At the same time, they said, the Kremlin may believe that Trump can go only so far in moderating U.S. policies concerning Russia and wouldnt expect him to make a sudden, sharp reversal on a decision made by the Obama administration in 2015.

An expanded version of this report appears at WSJ.com.

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US position on Montenegro accession to NATO is early test of Trump willingness to defy Putin's Russia - MarketWatch