Political scientist Vlado Simović told SRNA that, just as a century and a half ago, today too European powers see Serb sovereignist policies as a threat to their interests—a fact recognized by Russia, which is why it supports the preservation of Republika Srpska as a Dayton-guaranteed entity.
Commenting on the statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin—who said during yesterday’s meeting in Sochi with Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik that the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is extremely difficult—Simović noted that this underscores BiH’s geopolitical importance.
“BiH is a geopolitically significant space, which is confirmed by the fact that the world’s leading figures such as Putin, along with various European and American officials, regularly comment on it. This means that the fate of this area, and life here in general, is often shaped by the actions of great powers,” Simović said.
He explained that since the 1878 Berlin Congress, BiH has been the subject of debate, geopolitical calculations, and bargaining among major powers—almost always to the detriment of the Serb people.
“It is fortunate that some political elites in the West, particularly in Hungary, recognize this, and we can also see a shift in awareness of Republika Srpska among segments of the U.S. public, especially after the election of President Donald Trump,” Simović added.
Reflecting on President Dodik’s remarks that international interventionism has severely worsened relations between Christians and Muslims in BiH, Simović stressed that foreign involvement has never brought good outcomes.
“Foreign actors—just as the Austro-Hungarian Empire once did—often divided the people of BiH in a Caesarist way, sowing hatred and projecting conflicts. Preserving peace and ensuring normal coexistence in BiH requires shutting down the Office of the High Representative and removing foreign judges from the BiH Constitutional Court, leaving politics to domestic actors,” Simović said.
He expressed confidence that representatives of the constituent peoples could reach agreements on all disputed issues within less than a year, if it were not for the constant outside influences and pressures.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met yesterday in Sochi, on the sidelines of the Valdai Forum, with Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.
Source: RTRS
