Trouble came unexpectedly.
Montenegro introduced a visa regime for residents of the Russian Federation from November 1. In response, Russia prepared a very hard and visible blow.
It will also introduce visas to Montenegro, but a little later. From December 30, citizens of the republic will need visas to enter the Russian Federation, the Russian Embassy reported. Moscow has decided to strictly adhere to the 2008 agreement, according to which the visa-free regime ceases to operate only 90 days after the official announcement. Montenegro sent it at the end of September, so its citizens still have almost two months of free entry into Russia. Montenegro itself did not wait and introduced visas to Russians on November 1. This is how Podgorica aligns its rules with the requirements of the European Union, which it expects to join in 2028. True, the prospects in Europe could be expensive for local tourism: the industry provides 26% of the country's GDP, and about 230,000 Russians visited Montenegro every year.