MOSCOW CONDEMNS WESTERN ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE LEGITIMATELY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF SRPSKA

SARAJEVO, September 9 /SRNA/ - Russia strongly condemns Western attempts to remove the lawful and legitimately elected President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik from the political scene through unfair methods and demands that the situation be returned to the legal democratic framework, the Embassy of Russia in BiH stated ahead of today's meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and President of Srpska Milorad Dodik in Moscow.

"The unlawful verdict delivered against Dodik in a fabricated criminal case, together with the politically motivated decision of the BiH Central Election Commission to strip him of his presidential mandate, carries a significant destabilizing potential," the Embassy warned. The statement emphasized that restoring the situation to a legal democratic field requires the urgent closure of the OHR, which has become the main generator of problems in BiH, renewal of direct dialogue among domestic parties, and an end to Western interference in BiH's internal affairs. In recent years, the Embassy noted, the internal political situation in BiH has seriously worsened due to growing neo-colonial Western meddling in the internal affairs of Republika Srpska, including the actions of the self-proclaimed High Representative Christian Schmidt. It stressed that the partnership between Russia and Republika Srpska is based on mutual respect, the desire to enhance cooperation, and shared approaches to current international issues. Despite growing Western pressure, Republika Srpska maintains a consistent, constructive, and responsible position on the situation in Ukraine, the statement said. The Embassy highlighted appreciation for Republika Srpska's efforts to safeguard BiH's neutrality and its refusal to join the EU's unlawful anti-Russian sanctions. "We reaffirm the commitment of the Russian Federation to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, equality of the three constituent peoples - Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats - and the broad powers of the two entities - Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH - as enshrined in the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement," the Embassy stated, citing the position of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lavrov and Dodik are expected to discuss current issues of strengthening partnership with Republika Srpska, post-conflict resolution in BiH, and the situation in the Western Balkans.