DODIK: SRPSKA IS STRATEGIC PARTNER OF RUSSIA, FRIENDSHIP GIVES US STRENGTH AND WILL

SAINT PETERSBURG, JUNE 18 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik stated during a meeting with the Governor of Saint Petersburg Alexander Beglov that he appreciates Russia's persistence in maintaining the partnership, emphasizing that the leadership of Republika Srpska is under pressure and sanctions due to the decision that BiH would not impose sanctions on Moscow.

"We always feel excellent here. Not just good, but excellent. Recently, I had a meeting with President Vladimir Putin at the Security Forum. At that level, we heard that Republika Srpska is a strategic partner of the Russian Federation, and that gives us strength," Dodik said in Saint Petersburg during the meeting with Beglov.

He emphasized that Republika Srpska wishes to continue cooperation and pointed to the signed agreement with Saint Petersburg.

"We are a small community, but we appreciate your persistence in maintaining our partnership. We are truly under pressure. The entire leadership of Republika Srpska is subjected to a kind of persecution by foreigners in BiH," Dodik said.

He says that the Western narrative tries to create a negative image of Russians and Russia.

"They often tell us that the problem is that we are pro-Russian. I say they are wrong. We are not pro-Russian; we are Russian people," Dodik stated, as reported by RTRS.

He pointed out that Republika Srpska has withstood the pressures and that, because of this stance, BiH has not imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation.

"The entire leadership is under U.S. sanctions. Ministers have sanctions. The circumstances are very difficult and complex, but we persevere. Friendship with you gives us will and strength," Dodik said.

He stated that the administration of former U.S. President Joseph Biden, together with Western Europe, imposed a man from Germany, Christian Schmidt, and declared him the High Representative.

"That does not exist. I am grateful to the Russian Federation for understanding and presenting this properly at the Security Council. We closely follow when Vasily Nebenzya speaks at the Security Council. Even I am always surprised by his excellent formulations and explanations," Dodik said.

He pointed out that Republika Srpska has warned that Christian Schmidt is not legally in BiH and that it cannot accept him.

"He was not appointed by the Security Council as prescribed by the international agreement. This is happening 30 years after the war in BiH. Because we did not want to accept him so easily, he wrote some decision and said that it is the law. It states that whoever does not respect him faces five years in prison and a ban on political activity," Dodik emphasized.

He added that because of this, Bosniaks, Muslims in Sarajevo, judges, and prosecutors have been persecuting the President of Republika Srpska.

"I was sentenced in the first instance to one year in prison and five years of political ban for not respecting that decision. It is absurd; they say that Milorad Dodik, the President of Republika Srpska, while performing his constitutional duty, signed a decree on the law, and yet he is punished with a year in prison for not respecting the decision of the High Representative. Now, under these circumstances, they are sending us messages not to go to Russia and to side with the West. We have already been to Russia three times this year and intend to go again," Dodik said.

In an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia, Dodik also announced talks with the leadership of Tatarstan, with whom Republika Srpska aims to further improve good relations, and with many officials from the region and the world who will attend the Forum as guests.

Upon arrival in Saint Petersburg, President Dodik stated that participation in the International Economic Forum will be an opportunity to strengthen contacts with the Russian Federation and other friendly countries.

Twenty thousand participants from 140 countries have confirmed their participation in this year's 28th International Economic Forum.

The forum will include more than 150 events, including forums of the SCO and BRICS, the G20 regional business community forum, and a plenary session featuring the participation of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.