RUSSIA SUPPORTS PRESERVATION OF SRPSKA

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 3 /SRNA/ - Doctor of Political Science Vlado Simović told SRNA that, just as one and a half centuries ago, European powers today see a threat to their interests in Serbian sovereigntist politics, which Russia has recognized and therefore provides support for the preservation of Republika Srpska as an entity guaranteed by the Dayton Peace Agreement.

Referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement during yesterday’s meeting with Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, in which he noted that the situation in BiH is extremely difficult, Simović said this demonstrates that BiH is a geopolitically important region. “BiH is a geopolitically important region, as evidenced by the fact that the world’s top leaders, such as Putin and various European and American officials, regularly make statements about it, and thus the fate and life in this area are often determined by the actions of great powers,” Simović said. According to him, since the Berlin Congress of 1878, BiH has been the subject of discussions, geopolitical calculations, and decisions by the great powers, usually to the detriment of the Serbian people, with outcomes serving the interests of external powers. “Fortunately, this is recognized by some political elites in the West, particularly in Hungary, and we also see a shift in awareness about Republika Srpska among parts of the U.S. public, especially following President Donald Trump’s victory,” Simović emphasized. Commenting on President Dodik’s statement that international interventionism has caused relations between Christians and Muslims in BiH to become dramatically strained, Simović emphasized that the actions of foreign actors in BiH have so far benefited no one. "Foreign actors, much like the Austro-Hungarian monarchy once did, have often divided the people of BiH in a caesaristic manner, sowing hatred and projecting conflicts. For the preservation of peace and normal coexistence in BiH, it is crucial to close the Office of the High Representative, remove foreign judges from the Constitutional Court of BiH, and leave politics in the hands of domestic actors," Simović said. Simović is convinced that the representatives of the constituent peoples could reach an agreement on all contentious issues in less than a year if there were no external influences and pressures as witnessed today. On the sidelines of the Valdai Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin met yesterday in Sochi with Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.