Russia has expressed deep disappointment over what it called an unjust and anti-democratic verdict issued by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik. Moscow announced that it would use all available political means to prevent the escalation of tensions in BiH, provoked by Western interference.
“Russia firmly supports the legitimate authorities of Republika Srpska, whose efforts are directed at protecting its constitutional status in line with the Dayton Peace Agreement and the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and equality of the three constituent peoples and two entities with broad powers established therein,” said Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She stated that Moscow has repeatedly emphasized that the prosecution of the legitimately elected president of Republika Srpska is politically orchestrated by forces that have nothing to do with justice—or even Bosnia and Herzegovina itself.
“This is a targeted effort to remove from the political scene a leader who consistently resists Western neocolonialism,” Zakharova said, noting that Dodik is essentially being prosecuted for conscientiously performing his duties in accordance with the Constitution of Republika Srpska.
She highlighted that dissatisfaction was triggered by Dodik’s refusal to comply with a pseudo-law issued by “a self-proclaimed official with no democratic mandate”—referring to Christian Schmidt, whom she described as “Berlin and London’s so-called useful idiot” pretending to be the high representative in BiH.
Zakharova reiterated Russia’s position that since 2021 there has been no legitimate High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as Schmidt’s appointment was never approved by the UN Security Council.
“Schmidt’s so-called ‘decisions’ run contrary to democratic principles, the rule of law, and are legally null and void—just like the court verdicts based on them,” she said.
Such actions, she added, inflict immense damage on BiH’s legal and political system, the country’s internal dialogue, and the overall post-conflict reconciliation process.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and guarantor of the Dayton Agreement, Zakharova stated, Russia will utilize all political instruments at its disposal to counter Western-provoked destabilization in BiH and reduce threats to interethnic dialogue, peace, and stability in the country and the broader region.
“We call on all parties to restore an atmosphere of mutual understanding and cooperation among the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” she concluded.
Source: RTRS
