National security adviser Michael Flynn will recommend that President Donald Trump back NATO membership for the tiny European nation of Montenegro, Politico reports.
Russia opposes the move, considering further expansion east of NATO to be a provocative move and has been accused of bankrolling opposition within the nation of 650,000 from joining.
Trump has signaled he would like a better relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and has been questioned whether NATO is still needed. Unanimous consent of all NATO members is required for new membership, so if Trump opts against Montenegro, it would prevent membership.
Twenty-three of NATO's 28 members have voted to support Montenegro's membership. The United States, Canada, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands have not yet made a decision.
The U.S. Senate has voiced support as well.
Flynn, a top Trump adviser, "is expected to recommend Montenegro's accession into NATO to Trump in the coming days," a White House spokesman told Politico Monday night.
Citizens of Montenegro are evenly split at just more than 39 percent each on whether to join the alliance.
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