President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik stated that he is pleased that relations with Russia have steadily developed over the past 20 years, and emphasized that Srpska is extremely proud to have gained the status of a strategic partner with this powerful country.
In an interview with Izvestia, Dodik pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his team understand global processes and how to maintain peace in the Balkans better than anyone else in the world, while also recognizing the hypocrisy of the collective West.
“For Republika Srpska, of course, one could say it is a small community with an unusual status. For the past 35 years, ever since the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, under tremendous pressure from the neoliberal West, we have been striving to preserve and protect our subjectivity and independence,” Dodik said.
When asked whether the trial before the unconstitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina affects international visits and whether he plans further visits to Russia, Dodik responded that he will visit Russia again before the end of the year.
“This is already my third visit to Russia this year—twice to Moscow, and now to Saint Petersburg—and I won’t miss the opportunity to come again before year’s end,” said Dodik, who is leading the Republika Srpska delegation at the International Economic Forum.
Dodik expressed gratitude to President Putin for the traditional invitation to participate in the Forum, which gathers representatives from the political and economic sectors not only from Russia but from around the world.
“I’m very pleased to be back in this magnificent and powerful country. The central event of the forum remains the plenary session, and I will attend again this year. I believe that Putin’s traditional speech will once again address not only the current situation in Russia, but also the global landscape,” said Dodik.
He noted that during his stay in Saint Petersburg, a meeting is planned with the leadership of the Republic of Tatarstan, with which Republika Srpska has well-established relations and intends to deepen them further.
“And of course, with forum guests from all over the world. Russian companies with which we have built solid business relations will also be present. I believe there will be an opportunity—which would be extremely important for us—to meet with President Putin,” Dodik added.
Dodik emphasized that Republika Srpska fully supports the Russian Federation and all actions aimed at strengthening sovereignty, ensuring security, and safeguarding freedom.
“We value the struggle Putin is leading. I listened to his speech back in 2007 at the Munich Conference, where he prophetically addressed the international community—which, unfortunately, chose not to listen. That led to the situation we are witnessing today,” said Dodik.
He stated that he supports all of Putin’s efforts aimed at maximizing communication and dialogue.
“But at the same time, in order to protect the country’s strategic interests and its citizens on the territory of Ukraine, it was necessary to launch the Special Military Operation,” Dodik added.
He pointed out that Russia, with all its power and history, deserves its place as a global power.
“Over the past decades, there have been attempts to weaken, divide, and fragment Russia. But Putin is fighting to strengthen the country and elevate it to the global level it deserves. Even now, in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, both the Trump administration and the West are looking to him to play a role in achieving peace. That’s why we can say he is respected globally as a peacemaker,” Dodik concluded.
Source: RTRS
