Milorad Dodik, leader of the ruling coalition in Republika Srpska (RS), announced that he will travel to Hungary tomorrow for a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and will visit Russia on September 29 to attend a forum in Sochi where Russian President Vladimir Putin will be the keynote speaker.
Speaking on the morning program of Radio Television of RS (RTRS), Dodik highlighted the strong cooperation between RS and Hungary, as well as his prior engagements in Russia.
“Tomorrow I travel to Hungary. I must say we have excellent cooperation. Earlier I visited Russia and now I will attend an important forum where President Vladimir Putin will be the main speaker. It will also be an opportunity to meet key figures,” Dodik said.
Regarding allegations of “malign influence,” Dodik dismissed claims of Russian interference, arguing that the only malign influence comes from Sarajevo, which he characterized as attempting to impose taxes and seize property.
“If there is any malign influence, it comes from Bosniak nationalism in Sarajevo. Some Westerners have tried to portray Russia negatively, but that is incorrect,” he said.
Dodik also emphasized the historical and cultural ties between Serbs and Russians, citing the construction of the Russo-Serbian Orthodox Center in Banja Luka, where the first liturgy was recently held.
Commenting on the military parade in Belgrade, he described it as “very impressive” and stated that the parade demonstrated Serbia’s military capability to defend its people, both domestically and beyond its borders.
“Strategic plans of Serbia clearly indicate that the army will protect the Serbian people, even outside Serbia. RS, besides Serbia, is gaining more friends internationally,” Dodik added.
