The president of Croatia has refused to approve the participation of Croatian soldiers in NATO's mission to support Ukraine, citing concerns about the conflict spreading toward Croatia and his desire to ensure the safety of the Balkan country.
The leaders of NATO member states agreed on a support package for Ukraine during a summit in July. Croatian President Zoran Milanovic initially gave his consent to the package, which will include establishing the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) to coordinate the provision of military equipment and training for Ukraine by its allies and partners.
However, on October 1, Milanovic refused to approve it.
NATO declined to comment on Milanovic's decision, telling RFE/RL that questions about Croatia's contributions should be directed to Croatian authorities.
NATO officials, however, reiterated that newly appointed Secretary-General Mark Rutte had confirmed the alliance's unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
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The NATO package for Ukraine includes the establishment of the NSATU in Germany with logistics hubs across allied territories to facilitate the provision of equipment, training, and long-term financial support.
The final declaration of the NATO summit that its aim was to "place security assistance to Ukraine on an enduring footing, ensuring enhanced, predictable, and coherent support." It will "support Ukraine’s self-defense in line with the UN Charter" and will not make NATO a party to the conflict.
The declaration also outlined an irreversible path toward NATO membership for Ukraine.
Milanovic said Croatia cannot significantly influence or stop the war in Ukraine and involving Croatian forces could endanger the country's security and would not be in Croatia's national interest.
Milanovic, a former prime minister of Croatia who has been president since 2020, has previously expressed similar views, opposing military training for Ukrainian soldiers in Croatia. He also has been critical of Western sanctions on Russia.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic sharply criticized Milanovic's decision, describing it as "manipulation" that undermines Croatia's international standing.
Plenkovic rejected Milanovic's argument that the decision would protect Croatia from involvement in the conflict, asserting that the refusal merely prevented the deployment of a few Croatian officers to a command in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Croatia is a member of NATO since 2009.