The sanctions by the United Kingdom (UK) against Milorad Dodik and Zeljka Cvijanovic are a continuation of the sanctions by the United States (U.S.) from the beginning of the year, and certainly an introduction to the individual sanctions of the European Union (EU) countries against the political leadership of the Republika Srpska (RS) entity.
It is important to note that the difference between the U.S. and UK explanation after the imposition of sanctions on Dodik and Cvijanovic is that the UK directly accused the member of the Presidency from RS of being Putin’s man, Klix.ba writes.
The EU does not have a consensus to impose uniform sanctions on those who undermine the Constitution and the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), but it is certain that many members will individually impose sanctions on Dodik and his closest associates.
Also, the UK has called on European countries to continue with sanctions. And the first country that should follow the UK in sanctions against Dodik is Germany, then the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, and other countries as well. The Baltic states could also join the sanctions.
German Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock had previously stated, and the day before yesterday additionally confirmed that the country will follow the U.S. in everything.
”Efforts to secede are unacceptable, and these demands mean that, and I lobbied here to impose sanctions on the current regime and against Mr. Dodik,” German Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock told reporters after meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels in mid-December.
Almost identical messages come from the Netherlands. And the introduction of sanctions by some European countries, especially in the context of certain companies, could be a big blow to Dodik and his associates. That especially refers to the sanctions of Austria or Germany.
After the U.S. sanctions, Dodik said that he was not worried because he does not travel to that country or do business there, nor does he have property. He has now said the same about British sanctions. However, the question is how much such this story will be truthful if sanctions against Dodik are imposed by numerous EU countries. Sanctions affect the image of not only the sanctioned people but also the entities, which is reflected in investments.
If Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, Italy, and other countries follow the UK, Dodik is likely to be even more nervous because the sanctions are not just about travel and personal property. Sanctions mean a wide range of isolation, and above all in economic terms.
E.Dz.
