Pro-Russian Bosnian Serb politician Milorad Dodik has strongly defended Vladimir Putin, describing the Russian president as one of the world’s most peace-loving leaders and arguing that Moscow was forced to stop NATO’s advance towards its borders. Speaking after a meeting with Putin in Moscow, Dodik blamed European leaders, NATO and Ukraine’s political leadership for the war in Ukraine, while maintaining that Russia wants peace rather than conflict. Dodik also reaffirmed his opposition to sanctions against Moscow and to Bosnia and Herzegovina joining NATO. Putin, meanwhile, voiced support for continued Russia–Republika Srpska cooperation and said Russian observers would monitor Bosnia’s upcoming general election. The meeting has renewed concerns over Russian influence in the Balkans ahead of the vote.
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