DODIK: TRIP TO MOSCOW IN SUPPORT OF COMBATING HISTORY REVISION

MOSCOW, MARCH 30 /SRNA/ – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik says the reason for his upcoming trip to Moscow for Victory Day celebration is a patriotic duty and support for the fight against those who seek history revision.

"I am always looking forward to the opportunity to visit Moscow. It is a place where I feel good and where my best and dear friends are. This time the reason for the trip is a patriotic duty and support for the fight against those who would like to revise history and spread misconceptions among young people through the media," Dodik told RIA Novosti.

Dodik says it is a great honour for him to be in Moscow during the marking of Victory Day, to which the Russian people contributed greatly.

"I believe I will have the opportunity to be part of the programme. We are ready to discuss important issues in an informal atmosphere and confirm our friendship. We greatly appreciate the contribution of the Russian Federation and President Vladimir Putin to our friendship and our relations at the strategic level," Dodik added.

He noted that Russia - Republika Srpska relations have been built under rather challenging circumstances.

"We have never hesitated to demonstrate our unity and our shared commitment to common goals," Dodik added.

Dodik stressed that Republika Srpska would like economic cooperation with Russia to flourish and that the unreasonable and unjust Western sanctions against the Russian Federation, which hinder cooperation, should be lifted.

"However, it is now clear that these sanctions are causing more harm to those who imposed them than to Russia. It would certainly be better if they did not exist, so that individuals, states and peoples could work freely," Dodik added.

He emphasized that the new trip to Russia and new talks will demonstrate commitment to unity.

He reiterated his support for Russia and the Russian people in completing the special military operation as planned and establishing a situation that corresponds to Russia's interests.

"Russia today is synonymous with a `new civilization`. It has been protected by President Putin, who prevented the Western hysteria of the EU and previous US administrations from taking control of sovereign states,” Dodik said.

According to Dodik, that had been their goal regarding Russia, but they failed to take into account the patriotism of the Russian people, their president and their determination to defend Russia's sovereignty.

"They thought they could easily replace presidents and destroy states, but then they encountered a `hard nut to crack` called the Russian Federation, the Russian people and Vladimir Putin," Dodik added.

Asked whether he expects to meet with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Dodik said that this is now a matter of protocol.

"Now it is a matter of protocol, but in any case I would like to see my friends again," Dodik added.