President of the Republic Opposes Armed Forces’ Participation in Ukraine Assistance Mission

The Government of the Republic of Croatia, through the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense, requested prior consent from the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces for the proposed decisions regarding the participation of members of the Croatian Armed Forces in NATO, European Union, and United Nations missions, operations, and activities. According to the Croatian Constitution, all proposed decisions are adopted by the Croatian Parliament with a majority vote of all representatives if the President gives prior consent. If the President withholds consent, the Parliament can adopt such decisions only with a two-thirds majority of all representatives.

The prior consent of the President of the Republic was requested for a total of 13 decisions. The President of the Republic gave prior approval for 12 decisions. Part of the decision refers to the continued participation of members of the Croatian Armed Forces in NATO operations KFOR and SEA GUARDIAN, in the NATO mission in Iraq, and continued participation in the activities of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group. In the same way, the President of the Republic gave his approval for the continuation of participation in three European Union operations, three UN operations, one operation of U.S.-led coalition forces, and approval for crossing the border of the Republic of Croatia within the framework of the possible engagement and rapid deployment of declared NATO forces and military capacities for rapid deployment of the European Union. The President of the Republic also agrees with the continuation and the expanded participation of Croatian Armed Forces members as part of the activities of the Enhanced Forward Presence of NATO ground forces, which are deployed in four countries of the Alliance’s Eastern Flank: Lithuania, Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria.

With its participation, the Republic of Croatia strongly contributes to strengthening allied deterrence and the collective defense of the NATO area. The commitment of the Republic of Croatia to its NATO allies is also reflected in the fact that the President of the Republic gave his consent to increase the participation of Croatian Armed Forces members in bordering countries of the Alliance by almost 80 percent, from 300 to 520 members. Croatia is a member of NATO and has the obligation and duty to provide assistance to its allies, just as it expects that the allies will provide assistance to Croatia if needed. Therefore, the participation of members of the Croatian Armed Forces in these missions is proof that Croatia is a reliable NATO member.

The President of the Republic did not give prior consent solely to the decision regarding the participation of Croatian Armed Forces members in the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) mission. The Government wants to send Croatian Armed Forces members on a mission to support Ukraine, but the implementation of such a decision falls under the authority of the President of the Republic as the Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces. Exercising his constitutional powers, he has decided not to give prior consent for the participation of Croatian Armed Forces members in a mission that could potentially harm the national interests of the Republic of Croatia. According to the Constitution, the Government can request a vote in the Croatian Parliament on the proposed decision, and if the Government’s proposal receives the support of two-thirds of the members of Parliament, the decision will take effect, and the President of the Republic will comply with it.

The Government’s proposed decision regarding the participation of Croatian Armed Forces members in the NSATU mission is based on the NATO decision adopted at the NATO summit held on 10-11 July 2024 in Washington, which was attended by the President of the Republic. The President of the Republic did not oppose making such a decision at the NATO level because, after the decision is made, it is up to the member states to decide whether and how they will participate in the activity. It is important to note that the President of the Republic was not consulted in any way regarding the positions that the Republic of Croatia took in preparing the aforementioned decision. Once again violating its constitutional obligation – which requires the Government to cooperate with the President of the Republic in matters of foreign policy and defense – the Government not only assumed the obligation on behalf of the Republic of Croatia but also prepared the decision to send members of the Armed Forces without consulting the President. The President of the Republic has very clearly communicated his position that he opposes the participation of Croatian Armed Forces members in such missions.

Russian aggression against Ukraine is unacceptable and constitutes a violation of international law that we must all condemn. The President of the Republic has repeatedly reiterated and stands by the position that Ukraine is a victim of aggression and that Croatia should provide it with all possible humanitarian aid. Unfortunately, despite the substantial military aid Ukraine is receiving, the end of the war is not in sight, and there is a danger that the conflict could spread beyond Ukraine’s borders. It is the duty of the President of the Republic – and, in his view, the duty of all Croatian state institutions – to protect Croatia from war and to take all necessary measures to keep the country out of armed conflicts. This is precisely why the President did not give prior consent to the decision on the participation of Croatian Armed Forces members in the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine mission, prioritizing Croatia’s interests and safeguarding the country from possible involvement in the conflict.

The Republic of Croatia, as a full member, has an obligation and duty to its NATO allies and the President of the Republic does not draw this into question in any way. By giving prior consent to 12 out of the 13 decisions previously submitted to him by the Government, the President of the Republic has partially demonstrated this. However, the war in Ukraine, which is a result of Russian aggression, does not constitute an attack on any NATO member, and therefore Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty cannot be invoked. As such, there is no international legal obligation for the Republic of Croatia to participate in activities connected to that war. Croatia provides and will continue to provide aid to Ukraine, but that assistance cannot involve any form of participation by members of the Croatian Armed Forces.

Any other involvement, especially one that would involve the participation of Croatian troops, would represent a departure from the national interest of the Republic of Croatia and could potentially endanger its citizens. Many major wars began with ill-considered logistical and advisory missions that later escalated into military interventions and then large-scale armed conflicts. Croatia cannot significantly influence the war in Ukraine, nor can it stop it. However, through a well-thought-out and responsible policy by state authorities, the spread of the war toward Croatia’s borders can be prevented, ensuring peace and security for all Croatian citizens.