Milorad Dodik spoke with Vladimir Putin about Dayton, sanctions against Russia, gas prices and the economy. Analysts believe that Putin has only one interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH): to stop BiH’s path to the European Union (EU) and NATO membership.
The same gas price, support and understanding, the threat of the Dayton Agreement, “D” day, economic cooperation, are the topics discussed by the President of Republika Srpska (RS) Milorad Dodik with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They also discussed the final status of the RS if, as Dodik says, “the Dayton Peace Agreement continues to be violated” but also about the sanctions, which “BiH did not introduce to Russia because of RS.
Benefit for Sarajevo
“Those sanctions don’t work and we didn’t let that happen. So BiH maintains that Russia has established a system of friendly and hostile countries, i.e. those that impose sanctions and those that have not,” said Dodik, emphasizing that the citizens of Sarajevo, who paid last year and this year the same gas price, feel the benefit the most.
However, in BiH as well as in the EU, Dodik’s visit to Moscow is not viewed favorably, considering the sanctions that the representatives of EU countries have imposed on Russia in the last year due to the war in Ukraine. The head of the EU Delegation in BiH, Johann Sattler, said that the EU expects from BiH as an ally to introduce the sanctions against Russia, and not that politicians go to Moscow. He points out, however, that the entire country should not be punished, if only Dodik decided to do this.
“I would say it’s not a wise move because you’re isolating yourself.” You contribute to further isolation of the country, which is certainly not in the interest of the citizens. And that’s why I say it’s not a wise move,” Sattler said.
We did not have to wait long for the reaction of the Embassy of the United States (U.S.) in BiH. They say that Dodik’s decision to meet with Putin is short-sighted.
Via Brussels or Moscow?
“President Dodik’s decision to meet with Putin while Russia ignores the basic laws of the international order, as well as his decision to pay tribute to Putin earlier this year, is short-sighted and does not serve the interests of the citizens of RS,” the U.S.Embassy in BiH said, reminding that the future of BiH leads through Brussels, not Moscow.
“President Dodik’s deviation from this path is counterproductive and harmful,” the U.S. embassy announced. On the other hand, Dodik says that they are not interested in their position.
“The U.S. Embassy is not the one that can, nor will it determine what is the interest of RS. Their war against Russia is not and will not be the war of RS. The path they want the RS to take was determined by the voters, who supported the SNSD, and I don’t know what the U.S. embassy has to do with that,” Dodik replies.
Dodik’s departure to Moscow was previously commented on by European Commissioner for EU Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, saying that a line must be drawn between allies and those who are not.
“Our allies are not going to Russia. Whoever wants to be our ally, does not go to Russia,” said Varhelyi, during a recent visit to Sarajevo.
Kremlin grateful for neutrality
The Kremlin announced after the meeting that the relations between Russia and RS are developing successfully.
“I am aware of the interest of our partners in RS to work with our large companies in various fields. I hope it will be so. We have the appropriate tools that are intended to be used to achieve even better results,” Putin said.
They also stated that they are grateful for the neutral stance on the events in Ukraine, and that only such a stance can lead to any positive decision.
German political scientist Bodo Weber believes that this is a continuation of the long-standing policy of alliance with Putin, as well as sending provocative messages to the West. Also, Weber says that with this act, Dodik is undermining the image of the new Council of Ministers, which should push the country forward toward the EU.
“Putin’s greatest political benefit is that he has an ally in the EU’s backyard, which gives him a symbolic victory. On the other hand, Russia has no deeper strategic interests in the Balkans except one – to prevent the expansion of the NATO alliance. Dodik is consistent in preventing BiH’s path to NATO membership,” Weber told, DW reports.
E.Dz.
