Croatian Troops Will Not Be Deployed in Ukraine, Says Defense Minister Anušić, as Parliament Approves NATO Training Mission

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić stated yesterday in the Croatian Parliament that Croatian soldiers will definitely not be deployed in Ukraine, emphasizing that the participation of Croatian officers in the NSATU activity would be an additional form of engagement and support for Croatia as a responsible NATO member.

Anušić presented 13 decisions to Parliament regarding the deployment of Croatian troops in NATO and EU missions and activities, including the NSATU training support mission for Ukraine. Under this mission, Croatian officers would be sent to Wiesbaden, Germany, to train Ukrainian soldiers.

He recalled that Croatia has already donated over 200 million euros in military equipment to Ukraine.

“The NATO activity NSATU was activated at the NATO summit in Washington in July this year, where Croatia was represented by President Zoran Milanović. He could have opposed it there, but he didn’t; he adopted the Declaration along with the other heads of government and state members of NATO,” Anušić reminded.

He emphasized that this activity does not make NATO, nor will the deployment of soldiers in Wiesbaden, a party to the armed conflict, as the NSATU mission is carried out exclusively on the territory of NATO member states. Croatia has set an additional national restriction preventing the deployment of soldiers outside NATO member countries and in Ukraine.

He also noted that this was precisely stated in a letter from the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Tihomir Kundid.

“It is expected that approximately 700 personnel from allied and partner countries will participate in this activity. The headquarters will be in Wiesbaden, while logistics centers will be in NATO ally states on the eastern flank,” the minister said, adding that the government deems it appropriate for Croatian officers to participate in this mission.

Anušić described it as an additional form of engagement and support for Croatia as a responsible NATO member, while also providing significant value to the Armed Forces in terms of affirming capabilities and gaining additional knowledge.