Anger as Trump says Montenegro could start WWIII

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US President Donald Trump triggered a backlash on Wednesday after saying Montenegro might start World War Three, and questioning a key principle behind the NATO alliance.

In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday night, Trump was asked why the US should step in to defend a NATO member like Montenegro if it is attacked.

This referred to NATO’s collective defense clause, known as Article 5, which says an attack on any ally should be viewed as an attack on all members of the military alliance.

Asked by the interviewer "Why should my son go to Montenegro to defend it from attack?" Trump responded: "I've asked the same question."

"Montenegro is a tiny country with very strong people... They're very aggressive people. They may get aggressive, and congratulations, you're in World War Three,” he added.

The town of Kotor, Montenegro. /VCG Photo

Trump’s comments were met with anger and ridicule, especially coming on the heels of his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he was criticized for siding with Russia over his own country.

"Peace in Montenegro is not in any kind of danger. Everything is under control – NATO forces are not required in Montenegro," Ranko Krivokapic, a former Montenegrin parliamentary president and opposition leader, told the BBC.

"We call on President Trump not to worry about the non-existent war ambitions of Montenegro,” the opposition United Reform Action (URA) party was also quoted by Deutsche Welle.

A NATO official meanwhile reaffirmed to DPA news agency that "an attack on one is an attack on all" and that the common defense principle remained "unconditional and iron-clad."

NATO leaders pose for a family photo at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, July 11, 2018. /VCG Photo

In the US, the reaction was sharper.

"The Senate voted 97-2 supporting (Montenegro’s) accession to #NATO. By attacking Montenegro & questioning our obligations under NATO, the President is playing right into Putin's hands," senior Republican leader Senator John McCain tweeted.

Wesley Clark, a former US general and NATO Allied Commander, added: "Trump's comments weaken NATO, give Russia a license to cause trouble and thereby actually increase the risks of renewed conflict in the Balkans."

Montenegro joined NATO last year as the alliance’s 29th member.

The Balkan country has a population of 630,000 and just 2,000 military personnel. But a significant number of those have served in Afghanistan as part of NATO-led operations there.

US Vice President Mike Pence shake hands with Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic after arriving in Podgorica, Montenegro, August 1, 2017. /VCG Photo

On a visit to Podgorica last year, US Vice-President Mike Pence praised Montenegro’s determination to join NATO despite pressure from Russia and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the region.

On Wednesday, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert insisted Trump has made clear he is committed to NATO's collective defense.

The US president's comments nevertheless remained a topic of debate on social media on Thursday.

Observers also drew comparisons to Trump’s first NATO summit last year, when he shoved Montenegro’s Prime Minister Dusko Markovic aside to stand center stage.