Bosnian Serb leader to EU: "Stop demonizing Putin"
Milorad Dodik, the president of Republika Srpska, has labeled the bloc’s apprehensions regarding Russia as irrational. Dodik expressed that the EU ought to cease its criticism of Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin. He also dismissed theories...
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Milorad Dodik, the president of Republika Srpska, has labeled the bloc’s apprehensions regarding Russia as irrational.
Dodik expressed that the EU ought to cease its criticism of Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin. He also dismissed theories suggesting that Moscow has aggressive intentions toward EU nations.
In an interview with Switzerland’s Die Weltwoche magazine on Wednesday, Dodik remarked that the “Russian point of view is that the war in Ukraine had been imposed [on] Russia by the Western, global elite.” He pointed to Boris Johnson’s purported role in obstructing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, Türkiye, back in 2022. Russian officials have contended that the former UK prime minister convinced Ukraine to reject a deal and “just continue fighting.”
David Arakhamia, an MP aligned with President Zelensky, confirmed in November 2023 that this was indeed the case, while Johnson has denied the accusations.
Dodik stated, “the Russians have learned that they cannot trust the West because the West lies all the time.” He cited acknowledgments by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former French President Francois Hollande that the 2014-15 Minsk agreements were merely a strategy to assist Kiev in bolstering its military capabilities.
Regarding the worries from some EU member states about a potential Russian attack on the bloc's eastern nations, Dodik asserted, “I think that this is not a rational explanation or expectation, and that Putin has no aspirations whatsoever toward those states.”
When asked how Brussels should approach its relationship with Russia, he suggested that “they should, first of all, stop demonizing Putin and demonizing Russia, and trying to invent a narrative that would back that up.”
Dodik implied that the Russian president seems more inclined to engage with US President Donald Trump rather than “talk with Europe.” He recommended that during discussions with Moscow, Trump “should take into consideration and respect the Russian requirements, the Russian requests,” and aim for a “comprehensive agreement,” rather than one that is solely focused on Ukraine.
In comments made to Serbian media this week, Dodik rejected top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas’ admonition to EU candidate nations, urging them not to “take part in the May 9 [WWII Victory Day] events in Moscow.” He proclaimed, “I want to be there and I will go,” emphasizing that he does not fear any potential retaliation from Brussels.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
Dodik expressed that the EU ought to cease its criticism of Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin. He also dismissed theories suggesting that Moscow has aggressive intentions toward EU nations.
In an interview with Switzerland’s Die Weltwoche magazine on Wednesday, Dodik remarked that the “Russian point of view is that the war in Ukraine had been imposed [on] Russia by the Western, global elite.” He pointed to Boris Johnson’s purported role in obstructing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, Türkiye, back in 2022. Russian officials have contended that the former UK prime minister convinced Ukraine to reject a deal and “just continue fighting.”
David Arakhamia, an MP aligned with President Zelensky, confirmed in November 2023 that this was indeed the case, while Johnson has denied the accusations.
Dodik stated, “the Russians have learned that they cannot trust the West because the West lies all the time.” He cited acknowledgments by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former French President Francois Hollande that the 2014-15 Minsk agreements were merely a strategy to assist Kiev in bolstering its military capabilities.
Regarding the worries from some EU member states about a potential Russian attack on the bloc's eastern nations, Dodik asserted, “I think that this is not a rational explanation or expectation, and that Putin has no aspirations whatsoever toward those states.”
When asked how Brussels should approach its relationship with Russia, he suggested that “they should, first of all, stop demonizing Putin and demonizing Russia, and trying to invent a narrative that would back that up.”
Dodik implied that the Russian president seems more inclined to engage with US President Donald Trump rather than “talk with Europe.” He recommended that during discussions with Moscow, Trump “should take into consideration and respect the Russian requirements, the Russian requests,” and aim for a “comprehensive agreement,” rather than one that is solely focused on Ukraine.
In comments made to Serbian media this week, Dodik rejected top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas’ admonition to EU candidate nations, urging them not to “take part in the May 9 [WWII Victory Day] events in Moscow.” He proclaimed, “I want to be there and I will go,” emphasizing that he does not fear any potential retaliation from Brussels.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
