ANĐELKOVIĆ: DODIK’S MEETING WITH PUTIN IN SOCHI MOST IMPORTANT SO FAR

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 3 /SRNA/ – Political analyst Dragomir Anđelković says that meetings between the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, are always important, but that the recent one in Sochi is likely the most significant so far, as it took place at a time when Republika Srpska is under major pressure from Euro-Atlantic forces.

Anđelković points out that Euro-Atlantic powers are trying to impose their rules in the Balkans before the conflict in Ukraine comes to an end. "In such a moment, Republika Srpska receives explicit support from Russia, the support for preserving its state structure of Srpska in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement, but also the support for the citizens right to elect their own leaders, rather than having their fate decided by colonial governors imposed by the West," Anđelković told SRNA. He emphasized that Russian support is of enormous importance, especially now as it is clear that the war in Ukraine is entering its final phase. "Whether that war lasts another three, six, nine months, or a year, it is clear it will come to an end," Anđelković said. As he said, that war would end with some form of compromise, in which the divided Western powers and Russia will define new rules of the game that will apply not only to Eastern Europe but will reach globally. He believes that in this context, it is important for Russia to stand with the Serbs, Serbia, and Republika Srpska, because history and the great congresses of the 19th century show that only with the support of a great power can the Serb people protect national interests. "It is up to us to defend those interests on the ground today, and when the time comes, we will need the support of a major power to have them fully recognized and formalized in international frameworks. This is support for Republika Srpska, but also a laying the path for the future in order to solidify what we are justly fighting for," Anđelković concluded.