DODIK: RUSSIA EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 30 /SRNA/ - The Russian Federation closely follows developments in Republika Srpska and supports it, President Milorad Dodik said after returning from Moscow, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Dodik said the visit, which he made together with Prime Minister Savo Minić, had been in the interest of the Serb people and Republika Srpska, adding that Putin had expressed support for both Republika Srpska and the ruling coalition. "We encountered a friendly attitude and a warm welcome. The central event was the meeting with President Vladimir Putin, with whom we discussed substantive issues", Dodik said at the press conference. He said Russian officials had taken the time to ask about the situation in Republika Srpska and how its leadership viewed the future. "This is one of the most important places we could have visited", Dodik said, adding that this visit, together with the recent visit by Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović to the White House, showed that the Republika Srpska leadership had succeeded in reaching some of the world's most important centers of power and presenting Srpska's positions. He said the Russian Federation remained committed to cooperation among peoples, while showing particular interest in the position of the Serb people. Dodik added that economic relations had become more complicated because of blockades, but said ways were being found to maintain economic flows despite what he described as the Brussels elite. "Putin has no intention of going to war. He is one of the most peace-loving leaders in the world, but he was forced to conduct the special military operation. Our position on this is very clear. We are strategic partners of the Russian Federation", Dodik concluded.