BLAGOJEVICH: REPUBLIKA SRPSKA WILL BE TOPIC AT NEXT MEETING WITH TRUMP

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 25 /SRNA/ - Former Governor of the U.S. state of Illinois Rod Blagojevich told SRNA that Republika Srpska will definitely be a topic at his next meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he described as a close associate.

Blagojevich stated that, in that case, Republika Srpska would not only be a topic but also the purpose of the meeting.

"I intend to seek that meeting, but exactly when and whether it will happen, I cannot say for certain. Do I believe it will happen? Yes. But the U.S. is a big country, and the world is a big place. I have to be smart about the timing. However, I absolutely intend to do it," Blagojevich emphasized in SRNA’s podcast.

WHEN AMERICA LEARNS WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO THE SERBS, THINGS WILL IMPROVE

Blagojevich pointed out that Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik is a strong supporter of Trump, which brings great hope for improved relations between the two peoples and governments - especially once the U.S. President learns what is happening in Srpska and realizes he has a strong ally there.

"It's still hard for me to grasp that the people of Republika Srpska must be ruled by a foreigner from Germany, who holds no constitutional authority. It's hard to understand how the EU, through its High Representative, /former US President/ Joe Biden and /former US Ambassador to BiH/ Michael Murphy, could show such disrespect for the rule of law and constitutional order or inventing rules just to make life harder for the Serb people in Srpska, especially for your president," said Blagojević.

He emphasized that what has been done to Republika Srpska is unbelievable and expressed hope that things will improve once US policymakers are made aware of the facts.

Blagojevich added that now is the right time to improve relations between Republika Srpska and the US.

"I hope things will get better. Everything suggests there is a possibility for a different approach to Republika Srpska from Washington political circles. Trump's speeches point to that, as do the statements of Vice President /James David/ Vance, the progress of the new administration, and their worldview.

Simply put, if you feel that the Biden administration has been harsh toward Dodik and Srpska, which I believe is more than reasonable, then you should be encouraged by the fact that Trump is generally against everything Biden and /Barack/ Obama stood for," said Blagojevich.

REPUBLIKA SRPSKA HAS GREAT PRESIDENT

Blagojevich expressed his satisfaction at having met President Dodik during his visit to Republika Srpska.

"It feels like we've known each other for 100 years. He's a great man. You have a great president. He truly cares about the Serb people. He's a very strong personality," said Blagojević.

He noted that Dodik faces serious challenges and is being persecuted by a foreigner who has no legal or constitutional authority to do so.

"The story Dodik is going through is personally familiar to me - I experienced a version of it in the U.S. Interestingly, it's a story not unfamiliar to President Donald Trump either, as he too had to go through something similar," Blagojevich explained.

He emphasized that he, Dodik, and Trump share similar difficult life circumstances.

"We've been persecuted by corrupt people. I believe that opens up an opportunity that could be very beneficial for the Serb people, Republika Srpska, as well as for the American people and U.S.–Srpska relations," said Blagojevich.

VERY EMOTIONAL VISIT TO SRPSKA

Speaking about his visit to Republika Srpska, Blagojevich shared that his father emigrated to the U.S. from Šumadija, while his mother's family came from Gacko.

"He was a true Šumadijan, I remember him saying so. My mother was born in America, but her parents came from Gacko in Herzegovina. My trip to Republika Srpska, the chance to be where my ancestors came from, touched me deeply personally.

Although I've never been here before, it doesn't feel that way. I feel a strong family connection, which will likely grow even deeper when I visit Gacko and Višegrad, where I have a lot of relatives," said Blagojevich, adding that the whole experience of visiting Srpska was very emotional.

He emphasized that he enjoys being in Banja Luka, primarily because it is home to the Serb people.

"I love the Serb people, because I am a Serb too," Blagojevich said.