Imagine a place where both Ukrainians and Russians, despite their countries being at war, can live side by side in peace. That place? Montenegro, a small Balkan nation that’s becoming an unexpected sanctuary for people fleeing the conflict. It’s like an oasis for those caught between war and a hard place.
“Our people respect both Russians and Ukrainians. I’ve never seen any tension here between them,” says Savo Dobrovic, a property owner in the Adriatic resort town of Budva, as quoted by BBC on October 14, 2024.
This peaceful coexistence might sound unreal, but Montenegro has opened its doors to tens of thousands of refugees from both sides of the conflict—making it one of the best places for them right now.
Since February 2022, Ukrainians fleeing the war and Russians trying to escape military conscription and Putin’s regime have scattered across Europe. Many have headed to Germany, Poland, and other EU countries. But, outside the European Union, Montenegro has taken in over 200,000 Ukrainians, making it the country with the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita in the world. That’s some serious generosity for a small country.
“Montenegrins are very patient” says Dobrovic. The locals’ favorite word? Polako, which means “slowly”, fitting the laid-back lifestyle here.
Even Ukrainians like Natalya Sevets-Yermolina, who runs the Reforum Russian Cultural Center in Budva, are amazed by the warmth they’ve found. “They are mountain people, but the only loud thing about them is their desire to hug you,” she says.
Despite having a significant ethnic Serbian population, many of whom lean pro-Russia, the country has welcomed Ukrainian refugees with open arms. They’ve even extended temporary protected status to Ukrainians, which will now last until March 2025. Talk about going the extra mile!
UN statistics show that more than 62,000 Ukrainians have registered for official status, and over 10,000 people have received aid from Montenegro. That’s nearly 10% of the country’s population. And it’s not just Ukrainians; Russians and Belarusians have also flocked here, taking advantage of Montenegro’s visa-free policy, similar language, shared religion, and western-leaning government.
But, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. While there are jobs for immigrants along the coast, they’re often seasonal and low-paying. If you’re looking for something more professional or permanent? Yeah, good luck with that. And getting citizenship? Forget about it—that’s nearly impossible.
Montenegro has long been seen (maybe unfairly) as a playground for the super-rich, especially Russians. But just because you own property or have family ties here doesn’t mean you’re all set.
For those really struggling, places like Pristaniste (Haven), a nonprofit shelter in Budva, are a lifeline. They offer newcomers a safe place to stay for a couple of weeks while they figure things out. Refugees can get help with paperwork, job hunting, and finding an apartment. And for Ukrainians? They can even come to Pristaniste for a short “vacation” from the war, just to catch their breath.