Dodik to join pro‑Russian BRICS summit seeks deeper ties

Milorad Dodik, the pro-Russian president of Republika Srpska, has confirmed his attendance at the upcoming BRICS summit, which will be held in Kazan, Russia, from 22nd to 24th October. He stressed that Russia is a friendly nation and described Putin as a man committed to peace. Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, Dodik has held five meetings with the Russian leader.

Many reports by Russian and Belarusian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information warfare conducted by the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

According to RTRS television, Milorad Dodik expressed that participating in the upcoming BRICS forum in Kazan is a significant recognition for Republika Srpska and its policies.

The BRICS group summit (formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa in 2006 as a coalition of countries defining themselves as emerging markets) is set to take place in Kazan. Republika Srpska, a partially autonomous entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, will participate in the discussions as an observer.

The president of Republika Srpska is expected to meet with Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, during the summit. He stated that the invitation to the event came directly from the Russian side.

Dodik plans to examine the potential for involving autonomous regions or provinces in the BRICS alliance at the summit. In a statement to RTRS television, he mentioned that they will explore whether such regions or provinces could become members of the alliance.

Dodik has maintained close relations with Russia for years and often expressed appreciation for the dictator.

In an interview, he expressed his admiration for Russia, calling it a friendly nation and praising President Putin as a man of peace and a strong leader for his country and people. He also described Putin as one of the most influential leaders globally.

Milorad Dodik has been on the US sanctions list since 2022. The sanctions were a consequence of his actions aimed at violating the Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s. According to Washington, the politician was also accused of corrupt activities.

Dodik, who has frequently challenged the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, revealed his ambitions for the future of Republika Srpska in an interview with Russian television "Russia Today" at the beginning of February 2023, stating that he wants Republika Srpska to become an independent country.

In January 2023, the president of Republika Srpska awarded Vladimir Putin the highest honour of Republika Srpska in recognition of his "patriotic stance and love" for this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Commenting on the war in Ukraine, Dodik stated that Russia’s victory on all fronts will also be a victory for Republika Srpska. Since the start of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, the president of Republika Srpska has met with Vladimir Putin five times, most recently in June this year at a forum in St. Petersburg.