The United States Department of State commented the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Bosnian leader Milorad Dodik in Moscow on Tuesday, stating “no government, in any level, should extend collaboration with Russia.”
Dodik’s decision in meeting with Putin “at a time when Russia is flagrantly violating the foundations and laws of the international order, as well as his earlier decision to decorate Putin, are short-sighted actions that do not serve the interests of the citizens or Republika Srpska”, according to the State Department.
“The road that leads to a democratic, prosperous and secure future, which all citizens of Bosnia and Hercegovina want, goes through Brussel, not through Moscow. Therefore, we consider Dodik’s path counterproductive and above all harmful,” said the State Department.
During Tuesday’s meeting in Moscow, Dodik assured Putin that the Republika Srpska remains pro-Russian. Dodik also emphasized that the Republika Srpska is exposed to numerous pressures from the West due to its support for Russia, while the Russian aggression against Ukraine continues.
“We have not allowed an official decision to be made regarding sanctions against the Russian Federation and because of this, we have been exposed to various forms of pressure from our Western partners, in the form of sanctions and suspensions from certain projects and programs. But we have chosen not to be part of the hysteria that is being created,” said Dodik.
After the meeting with Putin, Dodik called the countries that impose sanctions on Russia “hostile”. He said that Russia had been forced to invade Ukraine to preserve its security, for which Putin thanked the Serb nationalist, who according to him is keeping “a neutral position on the conflict”.
Along with the accusations and harsh rhetoric against the US Embassy in Bosnia and Hercegovina, Dodik called Ambassador Michael Murphy “anti-Serb”.
Dodik claimed that the US ambassador’s goal is “to destroy Republika Srpska by the end of his term”, while Ambassador Murphy has made it clear that the United States do not wish to abolish Republika Srpska, but corruption. Murphy previously warned that Dodik is brazenly and increasingly attacking the stability of Bosnia and Hercegovina with nationalist rhetoric.
The leaders meeting has also angered the European Union, as Putin and Dodik hailed an increase in trade during their talks. In a transcript released by the Kremlin, Putin told Dodik that bilateral trade with his region, while relatively small, has increased by 57% last year.
The meeting could tarnish Bosnia’s hopes of joining the European Union, with the head of the body responsible for enlarging the 27-nation bloc, Olivér Várhelyi warning Sarajevo that EU allies do not visit Russia.
