Putin Reportedly Wishes Dodik Success in Bosnia Election

Russian President Vladimir Putin has wished Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik success in the upcoming elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the main TV and radio station in Republika Srpska, Bosnia's mainly Serbian entity, RTRS.

The Republika Srpska President, well known for his staunchly pro-Russian views, is running for a seat on Bosnia's three-member state presidency  in elections due on on October 7.

During their meeting in the Russian resort of Sochi, Putin recalled good relations and successful cooperation between Russia and the RS, Bosnian media reported.

Putin said that, according to his information, about 75 per cent of the total foreign trade of the RS was now with Russia.

Dodik stressed the vital importance of Russian support for the Bosnian Serb people.

"It would be catastrophic for our people to lose Russia's attention in terms of assistance and support," Dodik told RTRS.

He also insisted that the close partnership between the RS and Russia was not directed against anyone else.

"I think that there is a rigid, completely unnecessary story about an alleged Russian malignant effect in our country and in the Balkans," he said.

"Some headquarters of the West, who are trying to settle things globally with Russia, came up with this. We're reject this. We have normal, friendly cooperation," Dodik said.

A US Congress report in January accused Russia of launching "asymmetric assaults" on democratic countries in Europe, claiming that Russia was aggressively targeting countries in Central and Eastern Europe that want to join the EU and NATO.

The report noted that Russia's intensified relations with RS President, Milorad Dodik, "could be useful in slowing Bosnia's NATO path".

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