A delegation of Republika Srpska met yesterday in the Kremlin with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
Putin emphasized that Russia remains firmly committed to continuing fruitful cooperation with Republika Srpska, noting that relations are based on centuries-old traditions of friendship and spiritual closeness between the two peoples. President of Republika Srpska Siniša Karan, for whom this was the first official visit to Moscow, thanked Russia and President Putin for the fact that the Russian Federation has been and remains the most important strategic partner of Srpska on the international stage.
The delegation, which also included Nenad Stevandić and Milorad Dodik, pointed to what they described as the harmful actions of the Office of the High Representative and Christian Schmidt, as well as attempts to undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement.
After attending the Victory Day parade, laying wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and participating in a reception for foreign officials hosted by the Russian president, the official part of the visit concluded with a bilateral meeting with Putin. The meeting reaffirmed what officials described as exceptional cooperation between Republika Srpska and Russia, as well as the historical ties between the Russian and Serb peoples.
“We deeply honor the memory of those who, through immense efforts and at the cost of their lives, defended the right to peace, freedom, and independence. We have established constructive and regular cooperation with Mr. Dodik. It is important that you all share the same views. The Russian side remains firmly committed to continuing fruitful cooperation with Republika Srpska. Our relations are based on long-standing traditions of friendship and spiritual closeness. We share a common vision of history and similar approaches to the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Balkans, and Europe. Together, we advocate for a more just world order and mutually beneficial cooperation without external interference,” Putin stated.
Karan highlighted that this was his first official meeting with Putin and stressed that Republika Srpska remains committed to long-term cooperation with Russia, adding that both sides share a common understanding of the legacy of the Great Patriotic War. He particularly emphasized gratitude for Russia’s consistent respect for the Dayton framework and pointed to the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina arising from attempts to undermine it.
According to Karan, Russia expressed a principled position, especially following interventions by Christian Schmidt, which he described as attempts to further weaken the Dayton arrangement and challenge the electoral will in Republika Srpska.
Dodik stated that current relations are largely the result of long-standing cooperation and confirmed that strategic-level collaboration was reaffirmed at the meeting. He added that Russia consistently presents its positions at the United Nations Security Council regarding the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska.
Stevandić noted that cooperation also exists at the parliamentary level through an agreement between the National Assembly of Republika Srpska and the Russian State Duma, emphasizing that relations have always been based on mutual interests rather than at the expense of others.
During the meeting, discussions also covered further cooperation in the fields of the economy, culture, and education. The meeting was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.
Source: RTRS
