The war in Ukraine and Russia’s invasion of that country are on the verge of an outbreak. While the Russians say that they are only practicing along the Ukrainian border, official Kyiv is already preparing for a potential attack.
It is important to mention that the West, ie the European Union (EU) and the United States (U.S.) provides material and moral support to the Ukrainians while at the same time counting down the days for the beginning of the Russian invasion. In political terms, it is difficult for a country like Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to expect a clear position. The official position and support for Ukraine, which is the target of the attack, will probably not happen.
On the other hand, individuals or certain associations from BiH have already expressed support for Russia. But, the question arises as to whether BiH or at least a part of it should remain silent on certain aggression against Ukraine. Is Sarajevo allowed to remain silent while hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers are training on the Ukrainian border and preparing trench warfare with their neighbors...
The similarities between BiH and Ukraine have been highlighted by many in the past. Even the most famous whistleblower in the world, Edward Snowden, made this comparison a few days ago, saying that he remembers the war scars on the streets of Sarajevo. Snowden stressed that Kyiv is much bigger than Sarajevo and that it is inconceivable that a similar scenario would happen in that city.
For a city that has passed a siege in the given circumstances, it would be expected that at least the City Hall will be illuminated with the colors of the Ukrainian flag. However, regardless of justice or truth, BiH will, of course, calculate and demand some kind of neutrality. Otherwise, at least individual voices of politicians about supporting Ukraine would already be heard.
And why isn’t that likely to happen? The state will not harmonize the common position, because it is not possible to reach a consensus. Although probably no politician will tell you that, in this situation, everyone will stay aside, because they believe that it is not wise or smart to resent a force such as Russia and worsen economic or any other cooperation.
They will advocate such an attitude because there is a big player in the war game, who is our gas supplier. In such circumstances, the politics of BiH will temporarily turn a blind eye and pretend to be a silent observer in the biggest European crisis in the last two decades.
The Presidency of BiH showed last year that it can be played differently. One of the biggest humanitarian crises and catastrophes was created in the complicated war in Yemen, in which Saudi Arabia also took an active part in the invaded Yemen. The children were literally starving. Not a word of sympathy went to Yemen.
But that is why when the Yemeni rebels shelled certain positions of Saudi Arabia with drones, the Presidency of BiH condemned and fully supported the security and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia. Why? Because they estimated that BiH has no economic or other benefits from Yemen. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is a force that needs to be supported.
It is a matter of pure and calculated interest where there is not much room for empathy and even justice. And that is why, regardless of comparisons and memories of how Sarajevo, like Kyiv or some other part of Ukraine today, was attacked, BiH will most likely ignore it, because emotions are one thing and interest is another, no matter how immoral it may be.
E.Dz.
Source: Klix.ba
