Scientific collaborator at the Belgrade Institute for International Politics and Economics, Aleksandar Mitić, assessed that the meeting between the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, and the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in Kazan solidified the alliance between Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation.
Mitić emphasized the significance of this, particularly considering the increased pressures experienced by President Dodik in recent months.
He believes that the most crucial aspect of the meeting between the two presidents is the absolute continuity in contacts and mutual support in a particularly challenging environment over an extended period.
- The support of the Russian Federation is crucial for Republika Srpska in the UN Security Council. This was evident during attempts to appoint the so-called High Representative or during debates on the extension of the Althea mission, when Russian ambassadors fully supported Republika Srpska and practically promoted its positions – stated Mitić.
He highlighted that economic cooperation is also essential for Republika Srpska, especially given the threats from the West, although such cooperation cannot reach desired levels under current conditions.
Mitich pointed out that, on the other hand, it should not be forgotten that Dodik visited and supported Putin in May last year, before the so-called “Ukrainian counteroffensive,” circumstances in which many in the West expected Russia to suffer defeat on the battlefield, which did not happen.
- Russia is stronger today than it was a year ago, not only on the front lines but also economically, considering that Western analysts acknowledge that sanctions have not borne fruit due to Russia’s successful pivot to Asian markets. This has, among other things, resulted in the International Monetary Fund’s assessment of Russian economic growth at 2.6 percent – noted Mitić.
Discussing the mutual support between the two allies, Mitich explained that Republika Srpska provides Russia with what it currently needs most, which is understanding for its special military operation, opposition to imposing sanctions on Moscow, and NATO integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Moscow, in turn, provides full support to Banja Luka in defending against attempts to undermine Republika Srpska by usurping its competencies, property, and political independence in decision-making. These messages have been reiterated and solidified, which is very important – stated Mitić.
According to him, the West’s reactions to the meeting in Kazan were expected and highly critical, focusing on the fact that such cooperation is unacceptable, incompatible with regional stability, and, as they say, promotes “malignant influence.”
- This is logical because this cooperation defends the interests of promoters of anti-Serbian and anti-Russian policies. Republika Srpska is not obliged to harmonize with the EU’s common foreign and security policy regarding sanctions against the Russian Federation – emphasized Mitić.
He also stressed that this will not happen even if Bosnia and Herzegovina begins negotiations on EU membership because harmonization is necessary only at the moment of formal accession to the Union.
- When and if this will happen depends on many factors, many of which are not within the jurisdiction of either Banja Luka or Sarajevo – said Mitić.
Discussing the significance of the Order of Alexander Nevsky, with which Putin decorated Dodik, Mitich assessed that for Republika Srpska, this recognition signifies not only gratitude for everything done so far but also motivation and assurance that relations between Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation will remain at the highest level of trust and support.
He believes that this order for President Dodik also signifies additional support for maintaining foreign policy independence in the context of the usurpation of common BiH institutions by political Sarajevo.
- At the same time, the order confirms the recognition of Banja Luka’s perseverance in implementing the Resolution on Military Neutrality of the People’s Assembly of Republika Srpska in a geopolitical context where Bosnia and Herzegovina is being pushed into NATO despite clear opposition from the Serb people – Mitić concluded.
President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, led the delegation of Republika Srpska on a multi-day visit to the Russian Federation, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Republika Srpska delegation previously visited Belarus, where they met with the state leadership, with President Alexander Lukashenko at the forefront.
Source: RTRS
