Washington, July 20: Montenegro's government on Thursday responded to the United States (US) President Donald Trump’s controversial statement in which he termed people of Montenegro as aggressive and further added that its citizens were capable of triggering ‘World War III’. In a statement, the Montenegro government said that the country believed in cherishing the values of freedom, solidarity and democracy. The statement also stressed the fact that its alliance with the US was strong and perfect.

Trump, in an interview with Fox News’s Tucker Carlson, was asked by host Carlson that why his son should “go to Montenegro to defend it from attack?" The Trump replied, “Montenegro is a tiny country with very strong people. ... They are very aggressive people, they may get aggressive, and congratulations, you are in World War III.”

According to article 5 of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), member nations must defend other members if they are attacked. Montenegro joined NATO in June 2017 amid opposition by various countries of the organisation. Montenegro has only 2,000 troops. Russia was infuriated at Montenegro joining NATO. The relation between Russia and the Balkan nation soured in the recent times. The Balkan Nation also eyes to enter into the European Union.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 20, 2018 09:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).