ANĐELKOVIĆ: GEOPOLITICAL PRAGMATISM AND COURAGE OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

BELGRADE, MAY 28 /SRNA/ – Good relations between Republika Srpska and Russia, which are almost allied in nature, demonstrate the geopolitical pragmatism of official Banja Luka and the courage to invest in the future through the right moves, political analyst Dragomir Anđelković told SRNA.

Regarding the participation of the Republika Srpska delegation headed by SNSD leader Milorad Dodik at the International Security Forum in Moscow, Anđelković said that Republika Srpska has traditionally maintained good relations with Russia and that these relations are not merely partnership-based, but almost allied. "What is very important for Serbdom in general, not only for Republika Srpska, is that Republika Srpska and Dodik personally have the courage to cooperate with Russia in areas where others are afraid to cooperate," he said. He believes that Dodik’s attendance at the Security Forum carries special weight and represents an investment in the Serb future, because it shows Russia that Republika Srpska stands by it even in difficult times when Moscow is isolated on various issues by number of countries, which will have even greater influence in this region after thre conflict in Ukraine ends. Anđelković also emphasized as particularly important the fact that Banja Luka has managed to significantly improve relations with the United States while maintaining good relations with Russia. According to him, this has geopolitical logic, because Russia and the United States are in sovereignist positions and, despite certain disagreements, understand Banja Luka’s desire to preserve the national identity and statehood of the Serb people by ensuring that Republika Srpska is truly free both internally and externally, not under anyone’s geopolitical protectorate. "Russia and America understand this ideologically, and Banja Luka has found a way to do what few others have managed – to improve relations with both powers and extract maximum benefit for its national interests," Anđelković concluded.