FOUR MEETINGS BETWEEN DODIK AND PUTIN; SECURITY SUPPORT TALKS FOR SRPSKA NEXT

MOSCOW, MAY 10 /SRNA/ – The President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik said that over the past two days in Russia he met with President Vladimir Putin on four occasions, and announced that he would request guarantees from Russia— as guarantor of the Dayton Peace Accords— for Srpska’s political and territorial position.

“We shared a joint dinner, joint lunches, and had our own place at the table in an environment that not only honors Republika Srpska but also makes me personally very proud that we managed to be at that table. Few countries have had that opportunity,” Dodik said. He added that, as they parted ways last night, Putin expressed his gratitude for their visit, saying he was glad they had been together throughout the events and that they would remain in contact on all matters of mutual agreement. “Putin also said on that occasion that he would finalize everything we have discussed so far regarding our joint activities,” Dodik noted. Looking ahead, Dodik said, “What we want to offer and request from Russia in the coming period is a spectrum of issues that can be described as a form of security support—if not outright guarantees—for our political and territorial position, given that Russia is the guarantor of the Dayton Agreement", Dodik told media from Republika Srpska in Moscow. He stressed that Russia undoubtedly upholds the Agreement’s provisions, unlike other states such as France, which he accused of seeking to undermine it. “France may be a great country with a grand history, but on operational political issues it has fallen to the lowest possible level. What does it mean to seek a guarantee from France? Nothing. But if we can secure such guarantees through our talks with Russia, that is a different story,” Dodik concluded.