After his return from Russia, Milorad Dodik stated that during the visit he talked with the President of the Russian Federation about political and economic relations, the position of Republika Srpska, and cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, culture, and science. Dodik stated that he also proposed the formation of a high-level advisory body between Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation, while also expressing a series of political views on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Union, NATO, and the war in Ukraine.
Dodik assessed the visit as beneficial for Republika Srpska and the Serb people, stating that he was friendly and understandingly welcomed in Russia.
“The main event was a meeting with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. We talked extensively and substantively about all issues concerning our mutual relations. This was not just a protocol meeting,” Dodik said.
According to his words, this was his 20th meeting with Putin.
He Proposes an Advisory Body for Republika Srpska and Russia
Dodik said that during the conversation he proposed the establishment of a high-level advisory mechanism.
“I proposed that the Russian Federation and Republika Srpska form an advisory team comprising presidents and prime ministers of the Russian Federation and Republika Srpska, which would meet once a year to review our strategic mutual relations,” he said.
According to his idea, the joint government sessions would precede the meeting.
He added that the Russian side did not respond to the proposal immediately.
“Russia is a serious country and has serious diplomacy. They will probably consider it and inform us in a timely manner. We would like for this to happen, but we understand the international circumstances,” Dodik said.
He also framed the meeting with the Russian leadership in the context of the Dayton Peace Agreement, stating that he considers Russia to be one of its guarantors.
Dodik on Dayton and the Future of Bosnia and Herzegovina
A large part of his address was dedicated to his view of political relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He said he conveyed his stance to Putin that the Dayton Peace Agreement has been significantly altered through the actions of international representatives and institutions.
“We conveyed that it is necessary to return to the letter of Dayton and restore to Republika Srpska all powers that, in our view, were taken away through the actions of the international factor and high representatives,” Dodik said.
Dodik also made an assessment that the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina is questionable unless, as he put it, it returns to the “basic agreement of the three constituent peoples and two entities.”
“We don’t want any destabilization. We don’t want any conflicts, but we also don’t want to be obedient followers,” he said.
He reiterated his previous political stance that Republika Srpska sees no point in European integration unless Republika Srpska’s position within it is clearly visible.
Criticism of Brussels and Opposition to NATO
In his address, Dodik sharply criticized the policy of the European Union and some European diplomats, stating that Republika Srpska wants to direct its future political activities towards countries it considers friendly.
“We will direct our policies to friends and cooperation with friends, and as for those who want otherwise, there is no need to talk until we align starting points on how to move forward,” he said.
He reiterated his opposition to NATO membership.
Speaking about NATO bombing and depleted uranium, Dodik claimed that it had health consequences for the population. He made those claims as an argument against moving closer to NATO.
“We are not ready to participate in the processes that would bring us closer to NATO,” he said.
Support for Russia and Views on the War in Ukraine
During his address, Dodik repeatedly expressed his support for the Russian Federation.
He referred to the Russian attack on Ukraine using the term “special military operation,” which is used by the Russian leadership, expressing the view that Putin was “forced” to take military action.
“We are strategic partners of the Russian Federation. The strategic partnership means exchanging all possible information and maintaining all possible cooperation at the highest level,” he said.
He also said that Republika Srpska will not consent to sanctions against Russia nor to the introduction of visas for Russian citizens.
“We will not impose sanctions on Russia, and we will not give our formal consent for that to happen. We reject the introduction of visas for Russian citizens because that is, in our view, contrary to the interests of Republika Srpska,” Dodik said.
Talks on gas, exports, and “Orao”
Dodik stated that economic cooperation was also discussed.
According to him, the issue in trade relations is not the market, but transit and hindered payment processing.
“Our market for goods from Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation is open. The problem we have is with transit and the disruption of payment systems,” he said.
He claims that larger export quotas were agreed upon for fruit, vegetables, milk, and dairy products to the Russian market.
He also announced discussions regarding the development of a new jet engine overhaul line within the “Orao” enterprise in Bijeljina.
“We discussed developing a new jet engine overhaul line within the overhaul facility, which would be installed in Bijeljina, and continuing that cooperation,” Dodik said.
“We received the same gas price”
Dodik also stated that maintaining the existing gas price was confirmed during the meeting.
“We received the same price for gas. President Putin said that himself; we didn’t even have to ask. He brought it up on his own during his opening remarks,” he declared.
He added that gas supply to Sarajevo was also mentioned during the talks and that he expects that treatment to continue, while claiming that the Russian side has objections regarding the policy of part of the Sarajevo government toward Russia.
Talks on the Temple in Banja Luka
One of the topics was also the Russian-Serbian Orthodox and Cultural Center in Banja Luka.
Dodik claims that the Russian Federation agreed to participate in the interior decoration of the temple.
“The Russian Federation agreed to work on completing the interior decoration of the temple, and that is good news for us. We had agreed on this earlier, and now it has been confirmed,” he said.
After the work is finished, he added, talks will take place regarding the consecration ceremony and potential participation by Russian officials.
Claims regarding cooperation in cancer treatment
Dodik said that the delegation also held meetings with representatives of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
According to him, they discussed medical research and procedures that could be made available to the citizens of Republika Srpska.
“The medical team within the Academy of Sciences placed itself at the disposal of Republika Srpska, and we will develop procedures and practices through the Faculty of Medicine so that citizens of Republika Srpska can benefit from their achievements,” Dodik stated.
He spoke about Russian research related to cancer treatment, though details regarding specific therapies, their stage of development, or mode of application were not provided during the address.
“We are permanently oriented toward cooperation with Russia.”
At the end of his address, Dodik reiterated that Republika Srpska wishes to continue intensive cooperation with Russia.
“We are permanently oriented toward cooperation with Russia,” he said.
He added that he was satisfied with the meetings and the treatment of the delegation during their stay in Russia, assessing that the visit was beneficial for Republika Srpska, N1 writes.
