PAVIĆ: MOSCOW EXPRESSES ABSOLUTE SUPPORT FOR DODIK AND SRPSKA

BELGRADE, SEPTEMBER 11 /SRNA/ - A visit by Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik to the Russian Federation was extremely successful, came at the right time, and conveyed the right messages from Moscow, political analyst Aleksandar Pavić told SRNA.

He emphasized that the fact that the President of Republika Srpska met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russian Presidential Aide Yuriy Ushakov, and Secretary of the Russian National Security Council Sergey Shoigu shows that not only Dodik, but also Republika Srpska, its institutions, and its Constitution, enjoy fully consistent, principled, and unwavering support from the Russian Federation. "Moscow gave such clear support to Republika Srpska, the Dayton Agreement, and the referendum in Srpska, as well as clearly stating its position on the illegitimacy of German citizen Christian Schmidt, that there was nothing more we could ask from the Russian Federation," Pavić emphasized. He added that when Russia, which has always stood for the defense of international law, so clearly supports Republika Srpska on the international stage, it also means that Republika Srpska is aligned with international law. He pointed out that Russia took a clear stance regarding the decisions of the Prosecutor's Office of BiH and the ruling of the Court of BiH, as they were made based on the actions of an illegitimate foreigner who behaves like a colonial administrator. "Spending three and a half hours with the Russian Foreign Minister speaks for itself, especially in light of Lavrov's comments and statements after the meeting," Pavić said. He said that Lavrov's statement about raising very uncomfortable questions for his Western partners at the upcoming UN Security Council session primarily concerns respect for the Dayton Agreement. Pavić added that these uncomfortable questions also relate to Western support for the illegal and illegitimate High Representative and to the fact that they allow Schmidt to create chaos in BiH and impose laws as a colonial administrator. "There will also certainly be discussion, as Lavrov mentioned, about an attempt at a color revolution in BiH, specifically in Republika Srpska, through attempts to establish dual authority via the quasi-elections on November 23, similar to what happened in Venezuela," Pavić said. He added that when the Russians refer to a color revolution, it also concerns the High Representative and the decision of the Central Election Commission /CEC/ of BiH to call elections and revoke the mandate of the President of Republika Srpska. "This means that the Russians consider it illegitimate, illegal, and contrary to international law," Pavić pointed out. He also reminded that Dodik met with Russian Presidential Aide Yuriy Ushakov, who was part of Vladimir Putin's team at the Alaska summit with US President Donald Trump. "He is one of the most important figures in Russian political life, and he took time for the President of Republika Srpska, which in itself sends a message that the presidential administration offers its support. In this critical situation ahead of the referendum and these illegal elections called by the CEC, this is a more than clear signal from the Russian Federation about its stance," Pavić emphasized. He also noted that Dodik's meeting with the Secretary of the Russian National Security Council Sergey Shoigu was a sign that security issues were also discussed. According to Pavić, this is a message that Russia will not stop at words when it comes to supporting Republika Srpska, if the need arises. "Simply put, this was a brilliant visit at the right time, and the right messages were sent from Moscow," Pavić said.