--- title: Montenegro's Dusko Markovic on NATO Summit and Trump Shove description: My harmless brush with President Trump became the story of the summit, writes the Montenegrin leader. But NATO membership is more meaningful canonical: https://time.com/4797972/dusko-markovic-montenegro-nato-donald-trump/ author: Duško Marković article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-05-30T16:24:59.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:54:16.917Z article:section: Ideas og:title: Montenegro's Dusko Markovic on NATO Summit and Trump Shove og:description: My harmless brush with President Trump became the story of the summit, writes the Montenegrin leader. But NATO membership is more meaningful og:url: https://time.com/4797972/dusko-markovic-montenegro-nato-donald-trump/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6e45ec3830112dcf/6988cf62ab6d77689d6ae4f1/trump-markovic.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2000 og:image:height: 1125 og:image:alt: Belgium NATO Summit og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Montenegro's Dusko Markovic on NATO Summit and Trump Shove twitter:description: My harmless brush with President Trump became the story of the summit, writes the Montenegrin leader. But NATO membership is more meaningful twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6e45ec3830112dcf/6988cf62ab6d77689d6ae4f1/trump-markovic.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Montenegro PM: Trump's Shove Was a 'Harmless Situation' That Doesn't Affect Our Friendship > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: September 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=75d24252-c26a-4d08-8782-a9126bb98a11&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### The seven newsletters | Newsletter | Covers | Frequency | | --- | --- | --- | | The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily | | Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | | Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Weekdays | | Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Weekly | | D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Twice a week | | Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) | | In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) | Source: TIME, August 2026. ### Key data points | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 | | Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Publishing since | 1923 | TIME | ### TIME Newsletters: key statements * Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read. * All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=75d24252-c26a-4d08-8782-a9126bb98a11&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). * The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=75d24252-c26a-4d08-8782-a9126bb98a11&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What newsletters does TIME publish? TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers. #### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to? It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters. #### Are TIME's newsletters free? Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### Who writes TIME's newsletters? TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=75d24252-c26a-4d08-8782-a9126bb98a11&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1) ## Video: President Trump Pushes NATO Members to Pay 'Their Fair Share' [Watch (HLS stream): President Trump Pushes NATO Members to Pay 'Their Fair Share'](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/1ukHZwSy.m3u8) (1:37)  _Published 2017-05-25. Meeting fellow NATO leaders for the first time, U.S. President Donald Trump aggressively challenged them Thursday to spend more on their own defense, putting the alliance under exceptional pressure to become tougher, sharper and newly relevant_ by [Duško Marković](https://time.com/author/dusko-markovic/) ## Duško Marković May 30, 2017 4:24 PM UTC  Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic, center right, after appearing to be pushed by Donald Trump, center, during a NATO summit of heads of state and government in Brussels, on May 25, 2017. Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic, center right, after appearing to be pushed by Donald Trump, center, during a NATO summit of heads of state and government in Brussels, on May 25, 2017. Matt Dunham—AP by [Duško Marković](https://time.com/author/dusko-markovic/) ## Duško Marković May 30, 2017 4:24 PM UTC On June 5, [Montenegro](http://time.com/4673038/dusko-markovic-montenegro-russia-nato/) will [formally join NATO](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/28/montenegro-ratifies-nato-membership-in-historic-shift-to-western-alliance) – thus reaching a historic milestone and joining the most powerful countries in the world in order to work together on the promotion of the values of the civilization with a view to preserving peace and stability in the world. Last Thursday’s [summit](http://time.com/4795491/donald-trump-body-language-nato-summit/) was really impressive for me personally, for the Montenegrin delegation and for Montenegro. We were there where we belong – at the table where decisions are made, welcomed by 28 leaders of the NATO member states and able to clearly state that, grateful for the up-to-date support, we want to contribute to the key tasks of the alliance in the future and to help and support other developing democracies. Those who are familiar with the history of Montenegro over the last two centuries understand why the guarantee of our independence, which we definitely get through NATO membership, is so important to us. It happened several times in history that the fate of Montenegro was decided in its absence. It will never be possible again. At the meeting of heads of state and/or government, as well as in separate meetings with leaders, I said that we would take part in defense and deterrence and projecting stability beyond the borders of the alliance. I want to recall that Montenegro has been supporting the efforts of allies in Afghanistan to contribute to peace and strengthening security and democracy. In addition, as a new ally, Montenegro is strongly advocating for stepping up NATO engagement in the fight against terrorism. Bearing in mind its position of the factor of stability in the Balkans for many years, Montenegro will continue to be dedicated to this goal as well as the promotion of peace, with a strong commitment to continuing the policy of expansion of the alliance. In Brussels, I had the opportunity for a brief encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump and expressed my gratitude for the support that the United States has been continuously providing to Montenegro in order to strengthen democracy, reinforce institutions and become a part of the most powerful alliance in today’s world. Enormous media attention was given undeservedly to [what happened with President Trump ](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/05/26/breaking-down-trumps-shove-the-internet-debates-and-montenegros-leader-shrugs/?utm%5Fterm=.b69f38f6fef0)during the tour of the new building of the Alliance – it was really a harmless situation that can in no way affect the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. I am honored by the attention that the U.S. has given me; therefore, following my recent meeting with Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, I will be again in Washington D.C. on June 5\. I will attend a ceremony at the State Department on the occasion of handing the instrument of ratification for membership in NATO, and after that, I will have a bilateral meeting with Vice President, Mike Pence. The overall success of Montenegro would not be possible without the help of the United States. I believe that our partnership and friendship are eternal. We all know that friendship is not measured by the size and wealth of a country, but good intentions and deeds. I want to tell the American people that they will always have a sincere and reliable friend in Montenegro. ## Transcript The NATO of the future must include a great focus on terrorism and immigration, as well as threats from Russia and on NATO's eastern and southern borders. These grave security concerns are the same reason that I have been Very, very direct with Secretary Stoltenberg and members of the alliance in saying that NATO members must finally contribute their fair share and meet their financial obligations. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] But 23 of the 28 member nations Are still not paying what they should be paying and what they are supposed to be paying for their defence. This is not fair to the people and tax payers of the United States, and many of these nations owe massive amounts of money from past years. And not paying in those past years. 2 % is the bare minimum for confronting today's very real, and very vicious threats. If NATO Countries made their full and complete contributions. then NATO would be even stronger than it is today. Especially from the threat of terrorism. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4797972/dusko-markovic-montenegro-nato-donald-trump/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4797972/dusko-markovic-montenegro-nato-donald-trump/"},"headline":"Montenegro PM: Trump's Shove Was a 'Harmless Situation' That Doesn't Affect Our Friendship","datePublished":"2017-05-30T16:24:59.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:54:16.917Z","description":"The media was obsessed by my insignificant brush with President Trump, the Montenegrin leader writes. But our NATO membership is the real story","url":"https://time.com/4797972/dusko-markovic-montenegro-nato-donald-trump/","keywords":["NATO"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6e45ec3830112dcf/6988cf62ab6d77689d6ae4f1/trump-markovic.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Duško Marković","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/dusko-markovic/"}],"articleSection":"Ideas","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6e45ec3830112dcf/6988cf62ab6d77689d6ae4f1/trump-markovic.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Belgium NATO Summit","caption":"Belgium NATO Summit","creditText":"Matt Dunham—AP","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/ideas/","name":"Ideas"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/nato/","name":"NATO"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4797972/dusko-markovic-montenegro-nato-donald-trump/","name":"Montenegro PM: Trump's Shove Was a 'Harmless Situation' That Doesn't Affect Our Friendship"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"President Trump Pushes NATO Members to Pay 'Their Fair Share'","description":"Meeting fellow NATO leaders for the first time, U.S. President Donald Trump aggressively challenged them Thursday to spend more on their own defense, putting the alliance under exceptional pressure to become tougher, sharper and newly relevant","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1ukHZwSy/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2017-05-25T17:45:12.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/1ukHZwSy.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4797972/dusko-markovic-montenegro-nato-donald-trump/","duration":"PT1M37S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4797972/dusko-markovic-montenegro-nato-donald-trump/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```