BLAGOJEVICH: THE SERB PEOPLE IS LUCKY TO HAVE STRONG LEADER LIKE MILORAD DODIK AS PRESIDENT

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 23 /SRNA/ - Former Governor of the U.S. state of Illinois Rod Blagojevich says the Serb people is fortunate for having such a strong leader as Milorad Dodik for the president, which they should be very proud of.

Blagojevich emphasized that, despite the hardships, persecution, and pressure he has been facing, President Dodik continues to fight determinedly for Republika Srpska and the Serb people, demonstrating the strength and readiness to stand up to powerful forces. "Donald Trump is the same. Like President Dodik, he loves his people. That's why I believe conditions are in place for a strong relations between Dodik and Trump. They share the same values, and President Trump respects leaders who fight for their people," Blagojevich said during an address at the Government of Republika Srpska. He adds that Trump admires strong individuals with clear positions, which is why he also respects Viktor Orbán and Aleksandar Vučić. Blagojevich said it was divine providence that brought together Presidents Dodik, Trump, and himself at this moment of global shifts. He apologized to the Serb people and Republika Srpska for the actions of previous U.S. administrations, especially considering the historical partnership between the Serb and American peoples during World War I and II. "We now have an opportunity to establish a genuine strategic partnership, to reconnect what was lost, especially during the Obama and Joe Biden administrations. I will speak with President Trump, and I believe big changes are coming soon. It just takes patience as the policy cannot shift overnight. But it will happen with time," he said. Blagojevich states that Trump opposes everything Obama and Biden stood for, aligning instead with the values promoted by Dodik. "Trump respects Christian values and wants to see a revival of the Christian community in the Balkans - a community that will be a stronghold. The U.S. President's office is aware of what's happening in Sarajevo and the fact that Christian Schmidt is illegitimate in BiH. There is a shared understanding that Serb-American relations must evolve," he concluded. Blagojevich met earlier with Prime Minister Radovan Višković, after which he addressed government officials and representatives of Republika Srpska institutions. Among those in attendance were Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović, National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić, Prime Minister Višković, ministers of the Republika Srpska Government, Serb ministers and deputy ministers in the BiH Council of Ministers, and representatives of republic institutions.