The Ambassador of the United States (U.S.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Michael Murphy, warned that his country, as well as the European Union (EU) and NATO, will not allow Russia to dominate BiH.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe, he pointed out that the U.S., the EU, and NATO have stated quite unequivocally on a number of occasions that they support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH.
”When EUFOR perceived possible problems here, it increased the number of its soldiers. It was the right decision and we supported it. I think you could see the responses of the U.S. and the EU and that should signal that we will not leave BiH to Russia,” said Murphy.
He especially pointed out that Russia is not making decisionsabout BiH joining NATO.
”The same applies when it comes to your path to the EU. Those decisions are the sovereign right of BiH.
It is quite clear that the citizens, as well as the politicians of this country, set the goal of progressing towards and joining these Euro-Atlantic institutions. We support those goals. And that is what the people of BiH support.
So, when I look at what Russia is doing in this country, I think that this is what is against the interests of the citizens of BiH.
And some of the Russian statements were, frankly speaking, irresponsible.
When you look at what Russia is doing in Ukraine and Europe now, with its brutal and barbaric aggression against Ukraine, you can conclude that Russia does not care about the interests of not only Europe, but also BiH, and the Western Balkans. It does not want to see stability, security, or peace and prosperity.
They do not want a prosperous BiH,” told Murphy.
He also repeated his views expressed when he assumed the post of U.S. ambassador to BiH, that some statements of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sarajevo about BiH “were unfounded”, Federalna write.
E.Dz.
