DODIK: I INTEND TO MEET PUTIN ON THURSDAY

SOCHI, SEPTEMBER 30 /SRNA/ - President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik said that he is scheduled to meet with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on Thursday, October 2, in Sochi.

Putin will be the keynote speaker at the 22nd meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club, and Dodik noted that afterward he will have the opportunity to speak with the Russian president.

Dodik stated that for Russia and Republika Srpska, it is most important to strengthen the good relations and cooperation that already exist.

"We need to see in which direction we will move forward," Dodik said.

He expressed gratitude to the president of the Russian Federation and his office for the invitation to this year's Valdai International Discussion Club.

"This is one of the most important conferences when it comes to presenting and discussing key issues, the development of the Russian Federation, and global questions," Dodik told SRNA and RTRS in Sochi.

Dodik emphasized that this year's forum is attracting a large number of politicians from around the world.

He stressed that the most important thing is to end the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible, but also underlined that the goals set by Russia at the beginning of its special operation are something it cannot abandon, as doing so would spark further disputes.

He added that he believes Russia and the United States will reach an agreement on many issues.

"I will ask the president to take a position on the Balkans, to harmonize the policies of the Russian Federation and the US regarding the region. Perhaps by forming a Balkan commission, which could, for example, be led by Hungary, the development of events could be assessed in the most objective way," Dodik said.