In an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia, Dodik mentioned that all decisions regarding the opening of Russia’s representation in Republika Srpska, announced in May 2022, have been made by both sides, and currently, technical and logistical issues are being addressed to enable the representation to be opened as soon as possible.
When asked if he expects this to happen this year, Dodik responded, “Yes, of course, I think it’s realistic.”
Dodik, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan on February 21st, said that Republika Srpska signed a contract with Russian Gazprom last year for long-term gas supplies until 2025.
Regarding the price at which Republika Srpska buys gas from Russia, Dodik did not specify the price but mentioned that Republika Srpska is satisfied with it.
He confirmed that Republika Srpska has started paying for Russian gas in rubles.
Responding to the notion that he has been discussing the possibility of holding a referendum on the independence of Republika Srpska for many years, and that many observers call it a political game, believing that Banja Luka will never actually do it, Dodik said that Republika Srpska was drawn into BiH and was forced to join it after the Dayton Agreement.
“If you say that Banja Luka will never do it, are you willing to bet on it? We are not adventurers,” said Dodik.
He emphasized that Banja Luka has never given up on the need to strengthen Republika Srpska and is waiting for “some great powers to say that the people have the right to self-determination.”
When asked if a referendum is possible this year, Dodik replied, “We’ll see.”
Answering whether Republika Srpska considers the possibility, at least in theory, of joining Serbia in the future, Dodik said that Republika Srpska will remain within the territory where it is currently located, primarily guided by the interests of its people.
“We are one people with the people of Serbia, and we perceive Serbia as our homeland. We will certainly preserve the subjectivity of Republika Srpska. But just as the German people had the right to unite East and West Germany, maybe someday the Serb people will have the same right. Our goal is to live together with Serbs, legally and legitimately,” said Dodik.
Source: RTRS
