In expert's opinioin, Montenegro's President Milo Djukanovic aims to reduce the influence of the Serbian Orthodox Church opposing to the plans of Atlanticist politicians. The spiritual leader of the Orthodox people of Montenegro, Metropolitan of Montenegro and Primorsky Amphilochius has repeatedly stated that Montenegro will not remain on its path towards NATO accession. Djukanovic now finds himself in zugzwang: his further actions will only lead to increasing protests and his party will significantly lose votes in the upcoming Autumn elections.
Serebrich points out that Djukanovic is not able to stop now because he is acting on orders from his American partners. The United States and the Patriarchate of Constantinople are interested in implementing this church property law. Under this law, Washington may put direct pressure on the Serbian Patriarchate, forcing it to refuse the Moscow Patriarchate's support and recognize the so-called "Orthodox Church of Ukraine" (OCU), created in 2018.
But we should not assume that the Patriarchate of Constantinople will leave the Serbian Orthodox Church alone if it recognizes Kyiv dissenters, RISS expert says. "The Constantinople Patriarch's words cannot be trusted: he says one thing today and another tomorrow. Washington in its turn is getting the best benefit from a Church split. The White House was keeping the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine under strict control. In addition, the world hegemon is exerting pressure on other local Orthodox churches, forcing them to recognize the OCU. This is what we see in Montenegro now," Serebrich concluded.