Milorad Dodik, leader of SNSD, said that many things on the international and geopolitical level have changed with the return of U.S. President Donald Trump.
He explained that a completely new dimension is being introduced into international relations—something the world has not witnessed for a long time.
“The world before Trump was absolutely hostile toward the Serbs as a whole, especially toward Republika Srpska. We opposed that world by supporting—and continuing to support—Trump in his efforts to introduce new approaches to geopolitical relations.”
Dodik added that Republika Srpska supported Trump clearly and publicly during both his first and second terms, which did not go unnoticed and has enabled a relaxation of relations that is now being felt.
“So Milorad Dodik, who just a year or so ago was persona non grata in America, has now received an invitation to visit the United States,” he said.
He noted that he had received invitations from two members of Congress to visit the U.S. on September 7 and 8, but is unsure whether he will go due to repeat presidential elections in Republika Srpska being held at certain polling stations.
“These wrongdoers from Sarajevo, namely the CEC, are repeating elections for the president at some polling stations after two and a half months. As party president, I have an obligation to be here and organize our structures. If there is room to go, I will go; if not now, probably in March,” Dodik said.
He also confirmed that he has been invited to the National Prayer Breakfast hosted by President Trump, recalling that he attended such events long ago, when very few from the region did.
Speaking to Politika, Dodik said this is a good opportunity to use contacts at that level.
Asked how he manages to simultaneously support Trump, Israel, and maintain excellent relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dodik said that Republika Srpska now has a more relaxed relationship with the new U.S. administration.
“I am very grateful to the people who understood that the sanctions imposed on me and my associates were a policy of the Democratic administration. People saw what it was about and realized it was a political setup—an arrogant display of power by the previous U.S. administration.”
He added that he has heard comments, even from within the United States, noting that it is a unique case for sanctions to be lifted from so many people from a single political entity.
“We are developing relations based on what we can do economically and what matters in the new American strategy. But we do not want to lose our traditional friends.”
Dodik emphasized that Serbia remains Republika Srpska’s closest partner economically and politically, while relations with Russia have been maintained even in the most difficult circumstances.
“We showed that we are not willing to lose a traditional historical friend for a moment of applause from the West. We maintain contacts with Russia and cooperate where possible, expecting full economic cooperation once normalization occurs.”
He recalled learning of the lifting of U.S. sanctions while in Moscow, noting that they had been informed it would happen days earlier, though they did not expect it at that moment due to a temporary shutdown of the U.S. administration.
“When we were informed, we could hardly believe it. As Serbs do, we marked the moment in a cheerful way,” Dodik said.
“Trump and Putin have agreed on many things”
Dodik said he supported Trump even when many did not believe he would win his first election.
“I attended his rallies, even spoke at some of them. That probably drew the attention of the Democrats. I remember learning on a flight from Hong Kong to Moscow that Trump had won—we celebrated even on the plane.”
He recalled being invited to Trump’s inauguration, only to have sanctions imposed by the Obama administration two days before, preventing him from attending.
Dodik said he does not believe Trump will focus heavily on the Balkans at this time, noting that no U.S. ambassadors have yet been appointed to Serbia, Sarajevo, Montenegro, or North Macedonia.
Asked whether Trump and Putin agreed on a division of the world during a meeting in Alaska, Dodik replied:
“They agreed on many things. I have information about it, but I cannot speak about it.”
He added that he does not believe it has yet been decided whether the region will remain within the American sphere of interest.
“When people abroad ask how they can help us, I tell them: ‘Just please keep an eye on us when you are reshaping the world and drawing new maps,’” Dodik concluded.
Source: RTRS
