MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. Podgorica plans to join the European Union (EU) in 2028, Russian Ambassador to Montenegro Alexander Lukashik told TASS in an interview.

"The introduction of a visa regime [for Russian citizens] indicates that the Montenegrin leadership is continuing its policy of severing ties with our country, which are already close to zero at present. It explains this course by its desire to align itself with the European Union’s foreign and security policies, which Montenegro plans to join in 2028," the diplomat said.

He emphasized that Podgorica’s full support for the EU’s anti-Russian restrictions was another reflection of this approach.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that the EU integration process, in connection with which Montenegro had decided to introduce visas for Russian citizens, "no longer implies in any way that new members can retain neutral status."

According to the diplomat, Podgorica’s new measures will reduce tourist flows from Russia, deal a blow to Montenegrin businesses and lead to a deterioration in the country’s investment climate. At the same time, the Montenegrin authorities "should not expect Brussels to compensate them for the inevitable losses," she warned.