The United States is carefully reviewing whether the recent actions of Milorad Dodik, leader of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), meet the threshold for his re-designation on the U.S. sanctions list.
This was confirmed to Sarajevo-based news portal Klix.ba by the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Embassy stated that the United States “continues to monitor the conduct of all actors and parties, including former Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, and reserves the right to impose sanctions on individuals when necessary, in accordance with executive orders and applicable laws, when they engage in actions that undermine stability and increase tensions.”
U.S. officials recalled that Dodik and other Republika Srpska (RS) officials had previously been sanctioned for what Washington described as “destabilizing activities.” They were removed from the U.S. sanctions list in October 2025 following what the Embassy described as “concrete steps taken by Republika Srpska to reduce tensions and repeal unconstitutional laws that had triggered the sanctions.”
According to the Embassy, sanctions against Dodik were lifted because, by resigning as President of Republika Srpska and allowing the election of his successor to proceed, he acted in accordance with a ruling by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which barred him from holding public office.
In recent months, however, Dodik has repeatedly questioned the viability of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina and has publicly advocated for the secession of Republika Srpska.
The U.S. Embassy also stated that it expects the appointment of a new international High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina in early June and emphasized that Washington continues to monitor political leaders and parties across the country for any actions that could further destabilize the situation.
“The United States recognizes the years of dedicated service provided by the outgoing High Representative, Christian Schmidt, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, making him the second-longest-serving High Representative since the establishment of the position,” the Embassy stated in its response to the Sarajevo-based portal.
The Embassy further noted that it expects the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) to select Schmidt’s successor during its meeting on June 3–4, with the new High Representative expected to assume office later in June.
