DODIK AND OLD FRIEND ANATOLY VIKTOROV DISCUSS SITUATION IN THE BALKANS

JERUSALEM, SEPTEMBER 8 /SRNA/ - President Milorad Dodik said that he had an open discussion today in Jerusalem with Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov about the situation in the Balkans and global developments, and thanked Russia for its support for the Serbian people and the institutions of Republika Srpska.

Dodik stressed that when speaking with someone who is familiar with the situation in the Balkans, one can speak openly and without beating around the bush, given that Viktorov had also served in Mostar.

Dodik said that he met his old friend Viktorov at a reception in Jerusalem marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, at the invitation of Ambassador Mike Huckabee.

“We discussed the situation in Republika Srpska, the challenges and pressures we are facing and, of course, global developments,” Dodik said.

During the meeting, Dodik conveyed the gratitude of the people and institutions of Republika Srpska to Russia for its consistent support for their efforts to defend their rights.

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“Once again, I made it clear that Republika Srpska supports the special military operation because it understands Russia’s legitimate motives for defending itself. It was not Russia that started this conflict; rather, it was forced to respond,” Dodik stressed.

Dodik said that if the West had not entered the conflict against Russia, everything would have been stabilized long ago.

He stressed that Ukraine is merely an instrument in that struggle — not the first, and he hopes it will be the last.

“They are sacrificing it — those who wage other people’s wars from the comfort of their armchairs. I wish peace and success to all new peace initiatives. The sooner the military conflicts end, the more lives will be saved. Republika Srpska has always stood on the side of peace, dialogue and respect for international law — genuine international law, not the selective one,” Dodik wrote on X.