DODIK: WESTERN SANCTIONS AND BLOCKADES INEFFECTIVE

SAINT PETERSBURG, JUNE 19 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik said that Srpska and Russia are finding ways to develop trade relations despite the sanctions and blockades imposed by the collective West, which have proven to be ineffective.

Dodik pointed out that the West is blocking the construction of a natural gas pipeline planned by Russia and Republika Srpska in Srpska.

"Excellent contacts with Gazprom are being maintained. Unfortunately, the West is doing everything possible to raise new barriers time and time again. In this way, they are blocking the implementation of a very important project for us - the construction of a natural gas pipeline on our territory," Dodik said in an interview with Russia's Izvestia.

The paper notes that the project entails the construction of around 140 kilometers of gas pipeline in Serbia and another 400 kilometers in Republika Srpska, with the possibility of a branch line extending into the Federation of BiH.

Dodik pointed out that the collective West, through sanctions, is trying to block and complicate life not only for Russia but also for its friends, including Republika Srpska.

"They are blocking our financial opportunities and the potential to develop trade relations. However, we are finding ways to continue our joint efforts. In recent years, Republika Srpska has acquired three Russian civilian helicopters, a purchase that has been extremely important for our police. We are also actively developing cooperation in the fields of industry and education. In our schools, we are introducing Russian language learning and promoting Russian culture," Dodik said.

Dodik says that Republika Srpska is proud of not yielding to pressure and not following the Western policy of imposing anti-Russian sanctions.

"We also believe that the administration of /U.S. President/ Donald Trump and the team of /Russian President/ Vladimir Putin will succeed in achieving normalization for the entire international community in the near future," Dodik emphasized.

In response to the journalist's remark that the U.S. had previously imposed sanctions on him, Dodik said that sanctions are imposed on everyone, but they have proven to be ineffective.

"Sanctions are imposed on everyone, including the Russian Federation. But we can see that sanctions are not working - at least not to the extent the West expected. And Republika Srpska continues to live and develop normally, although in more difficult circumstances," Dodik said.

Dodik emphasized that Republika Srpska is very happy about all of Russia's achievements.

"According to World Bank data, Russia was previously ranked 11th, and has now become the fourth-largest economy in the world. President Putin and his team have succeeded in elevating Russia under difficult international circumstances," Dodik said.