LASTING GRATITUDE TO RUSSIA AND PUTIN FOR PRINCIPLED POLITICAL APPROACH

BANJA LUKA, DECEMBER 26 /SRNA/ – SNSD President Milorad Dodik has said that Republika Srpska feels enduring gratitude for the objective political approach of the Russian Federation and its President Vladimir Putin toward Republika Srpska during difficult times, an approach based on respect for international law and the Dayton Peace Accords.

Dodik stressed that this approach includes recognition only of what is agreed upon by the parties within BiH, without intervention by high representatives. "Russia has clearly distanced itself from such interference by withdrawing from the Peace Implementation Council. I have always had a quality dialogue with President Putin, based on friendship and mutual understanding," Dodik told reporters in Banja Luka. He emphasized that Republika Srpska has consistently followed developments related to Russia and has refused to accept pressures aimed at distancing it from Russia and its president. Dodik noted that Republika Srpska fully understands the justification behind Russia’s actions in the context of the special military operation in Ukraine. He reminded that he had the opportunity to listen to President Putin at the Munich Security Conference in 2007, when he called for friendship, cooperation, and platforms to preserve constructive relations between the West and Russia. "The arrogant West ignored all of that, just as it has historically done toward both Serbs and Russians. It practiced on us first in order to later move to Ukraine and act subversively there, with the goal of dismantling Russia according to well-known templates - to divide it into smaller states that would be easy prey, while the West pursues its historical ambition to gain access to rare minerals and natural resources," Dodik said. He said that Russia has the right to defend its sovereignty and added that President Putin is not only a great leader and asset to the Russian people, but to an entire civilization built on friendship, respect for people, family, tradition, faith and language. "When the Kyiv regime staged the events of 2014 on the Maidan, they were directly aimed against Russia. Everything that followed was intended to create a so-called peaceful zone. The best proof of Russia’s goodwill was President Putin’s readiness to sign the Minsk Agreements and build lasting peace on that basis. The West signed those agreements only to deceive Russia and arm Ukraine," Dodik pointed out. He added that President Putin wants peace to be established as soon as possible and is looking forward to achieving victory for Russia. "I am impressed by his determination not to abandon strategic goals, because any half-measure at this stage would put Russia in a position where it would have to act again," Dodik says. He also noted that the new US administration appears willing to take into account Russia’s historical interests, particularly in territories that have historically been Russian. Dodik said Europe has shown it made wrong decisions, the consequences of which are now evident, while sanctions have only strengthened Russia’s internal awareness and economic resilience. "Russia, as our brotherly and friendly country, remains permanently present in our political, economic, cultural, and sporting relations," Dodik said, after Russian Ambassador to BiH Igor Kalabukhov presented the Russian state decoration, the Pushkin Medal, to Republika Srpska Interior Minister Željko Budimir. He emphasized that the recognition is not only a great honor for Budimir and his family, but also for Republika Srpska. "I thank the ambassador, and especially President Putin, for recognizing and awarding this significant honor to Budimir," Dodik stressed.