Bosnian Serb leader presents medal to absent Russian President Putin

BANJA LUKA – Milorad Dodik, the head of the Bosnian Serb Republic, presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with the honour in absentia on Sunday at a ceremony commemorating the holiday of the Bosnian Autonomous Serb Republic.

According to RT, Putin received the medal for his “special patriotic affection and concern for Republika Srpska” and for his contributions to fostering and advancing political ties between “friendly states of Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation.”

Bosnia is made up of the independent Bosniak-Croat Federation and the Serb Republic.

Dodik, the separatist leader of the area who has always preferred relations with Russia to those with the West, lauded Putin for being a consistent ally of the Serb Republic and announced that he will give him the medal at their next meeting.

“The voice and stance of Republika Srpska has been heard and recognised,” he stated, “thanks to the position of Vladimir Putin and the might of the Russian Federation.”

Dodik has attempted to thwart attempts by the tripartite presidency for Bosnia to join European Union sanctions on Russia after Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine.

At the same time, Dodik’s separatist actions to undermine the central authority have received backing from Russian envoys.

Russia criticised the EU last month for designating Bosnia as a candidate for membership in the organisation. It has already issued a warning that it would see Bosnia’s efforts to join NATO as a “hostile act.”