A group of US lawmakers from both political parties have called on the administration of President Donald Trump to reimpose sanctions on Milorad Dodik, warning that his actions, as they say, undermine peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In a letter to the administration, the lawmakers express concern about Dodik’s separatist moves and rhetoric, as well as his continued challenge to the state institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the international order established after the war.
They recall that Dodik was previously subject to US sanctions for activities that were assessed as a threat to the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
However, the Donald Trump administration lifted those sanctions in late 2025, which caused strong reactions from some US politicians and experts on the Balkans.
The lawmakers now warn that the reimposition of sanctions would be crucial for preserving the stability of the region, especially considering Dodik’s previous moves, including the adoption of laws that were declared unconstitutional and his open threats of secession of Republika Srpska.
Milorad Dodik has meanwhile been sentenced in Bosnia and Herzegovina and removed from office as President of Republika Srpska, with a ban on political activity, although the prison sentence was later replaced with a fine, writes the American The Hill.
Despite this, analysts warn that Dodik still has significant political influence, and that a possible change in American policy could have serious consequences for relations in the Western Balkans region.
