The political polemic that has developed between Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and President Zoran Milanović regarding Croatia's participation in the NATO mission NSATU shows no signs of calming down. This conflict deepens as both sides become increasingly entrenched in their positions, with the fundamental subject of disagreement being Croatia's role in supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Prime Minister Plenković asserts that Croatia, as a responsible member of the NATO alliance, must fulfill its international obligations and support Ukraine, while President Milanović warns of the dangers that participation in NSATU could bring to Croatia.

The Prime Minister specifically emphasized that the NSATU mission, which takes place in the German city of Wiesbaden, does not involve sending Croatian soldiers to Ukraine, but is focused on logistical support and coordination of aid to Ukraine. According to his statements, the involvement of Croatian officers in this mission does not pose any threat to national security, but is a key part of international efforts to assist Ukraine. Plenković reminded that the Croatian government has always condemned Russian aggression and that aid to Ukraine is in line with Croatia's policy within NATO and the European Union. He also stressed that sending officers to Wiesbaden was agreed upon at the NATO summit held in Washington, at which Milanović himself participated, and at which he did not raise any objections.

NATO and security mission

On the other hand, President Milanović insists that the NATO mission poses a danger to Croatia because, as he claims, the NSATU mission has the potential to include NATO personnel in direct operations on Ukrainian territory. Milanović emphasizes that it is his duty as the supreme commander of the Croatian army to protect Croatia from "reckless military adventures" and that he opposes any involvement of the Croatian army in operations that could escalate into conflict with Russia. He believes that Croatia should not participate in missions that increase the risk of direct involvement in conflict and has called for caution in making decisions that could have far-reaching consequences for national security.

Milanović is particularly critical of the ways in which the debate about Croatia's participation in NSATU is conducted in public. He believes that Prime Minister Plenković manipulates facts and misinforms the public in order to gain support for the decision to send Croatian officers to Germany. Milanović argues that the NATO mission NSATU represents a step closer to war and warns that the presence of NATO personnel in Ukraine could have unpredictable consequences. His opposition to NSATU is not new; the president has previously expressed concerns about the broader NATO strategy in the context of the war in Ukraine, arguing that such moves lead to the escalation of conflict and could draw Croatia into war against the will of the majority of citizens.

Broader political implications

This conflict over the NATO mission NSATU has broader political implications that transcend Croatia's relations with NATO. Plenković accused Milanović of risking Croatia's international reputation and trust among allies with his actions. According to Plenković, the president destabilizes Croatia's international position with his actions, creating insecurity among partners within NATO and the European Union. The Prime Minister emphasized that Croatia, as a NATO member, must remain consistent in fulfilling its obligations and must support Ukraine in its fight for the preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Plenković also noted that Milanović's policy towards NATO and Ukraine often changes and that the president has shown inconsistency in his positions. For example, while Milanović supported the declaration that allowed for the establishment of NSATU at the NATO summit in Washington, he opposes its implementation on the domestic political scene. This inconsistency, according to Plenković, harms Croatia and its relationships with international partners.

The future of relations with NATO

As the political debate between Plenković and Milanović continues, the future of Croatia's relations with NATO and Croatia's role within the alliance remains a crucial question. While Plenković and the government advocate for active Croatian participation in international missions that assist Ukraine, Milanović maintains his position that Croatia should keep its distance from any activities that could draw it into conflict. This conflict reflects broader political divisions in Croatia, where different political actors disagree on the best way to protect national interests amid global geopolitical upheavals.

Ultimately, the decision on Croatia's participation in the NSATU mission will depend on the members of parliament, who will have to decide whether to support the government's proposal or side with President Milanović. This decision will not only shape Croatia's future participation in international missions but will also have long-term consequences for the country's foreign policy and security strategies.