Putin, Orban supported Milorad Dodik in elections

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Putin, Orban supported Milorad Dodik in elections

Milorad Dodik was supported by Putin and Orban in the elections for the president of Republika Srpska RS the entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina BiH, but not by Vucic.

Dodik is a frequent guest at Vucic's official events, and the two statesmen have a very close relationship. Dodik doesn't hide in his statements that he counts on the support of official Belgrade for his views, which have been condemned by the West.

On September 20th, Dodik, as a member of the Presidency of BiH, met with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in Moscow.

Radio Television of RS RTRS reported that Putin wished Dodik success in the elections with the hope that he would strengthen patriotic forces in RS. Dodik said that it is important for us to have friends like you.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said for years that Putin is a friend of Serbia and has met with the Russian leader several times.

Serbia is the only country in the Western Balkans that has not joined the Western sanctions against Russia. By voting in the European Union for several resolutions, it joined the condemnation of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Aleksandar Popov of the Novi Sad non-governmental center for regionalism says that Serbia is trying to balance as much as possible.

Dodik played the Putin card when he received direct support from Putin for the elections. Popov stated that he turned out to be a direct exponent of Russian politics and Putin himself in the region.

Popov said that a larger campaign was conducted in Serbia in support of Dodik. He says that there was only one such event, the Day of Serbian Unity in Bijeljina.

On September 15th, Vucic led the Serbian delegation to the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag in Bijeljina, a city northeast of BiH.

According to the Constitution of BiH, RS is defined not as a state, but as one of two entities in the state of BiH. The Federation of BiH FBiH is the other entity in his public appearances. Dodik emphasizes that BiH is not his home state, but Serbia.

Vucic, on the other hand, emphasizes that Serbia respects the integrity of BiH and the integrity of the RS within BiH.

What did Vucic say about the elections in RS?

On September 15th, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, stated that he would not interfere in the election process in the RS and that the people would choose who they wanted to elect.

I respect the leadership of the RS, I also respect those who are in the opposition and I want to remain someone who supports the Serbian people in the RS, according to Radio Slobodna Evropa.