Croatian representatives rejected the request that the country help in the training of Ukrainian soldiers as part of the European Union mission
On Friday, Croatian representatives rejected the government’s offer for the country to help train Ukrainian soldiers as part of a mission of the European Union.
The vote in the Parliament took place after the President of the Republic of Croatia had previously refused to sign the proposal with the assessment that it was not in accordance with the Constitution.
President Zoran Milanović was an outspoken critic of Western policy in Ukraine. He advocated that Croatia offer only humanitarian aid to Ukraine before the invasion of Russia.
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The EU Assistance Mission Ukraine was established in October, envisioning the countries of the 27-member bloc to offer various forms of support and training to Ukraine.
Croatia was supposed to host up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers in the country, while around 80 Croatian instructors would travel abroad to help train Ukrainians in other EU countries.
Croatian President Zoran Milanović speaks during the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, 2021 in New York. Croatian lawmakers rejected a request for the country to help train Ukrainian soldiers on December 16, 2022. President Milanović was a critic of Western policy in Ukraine and advocated that his country only offer humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The government needed a two-thirds majority in parliament to approve such a decision. The proposal did not pass because it was supported by 97 out of 151 members of parliament – four less than required. Ten deputies were against, while the rest abstained or were not present at the vote.
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Opposition parties say that the vote was political and that it was the result of an argument between Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and President Milanović, who often clash over various issues.
“It is a choice between Ukraine and (Russian President Vladimir) PutinPlenković said before the vote. “Croatia has been a member of NATO and the EU for years, it is not neutral or non-aligned”,
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Croatia is the newest member of the EU after joining in 2013. The country went through a war in 1991-95. after the declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia.