BANJA LUKA, Bosnia (Portal) – Russian President Vladimir Putin received an award in absentia from Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik on Sunday during a ceremony marking the national day of the autonomous Serb Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Putin was awarded the medal for “special patriotic care and love for the Republic of Srpska” and merits in developing and strengthening cooperation and political relations between “friendly states of the Republic of Srpska and the Russian Federation,” the moderators said.
The Serbian Republic is a region that, together with the Autonomous Bosniak-Croat Federation, forms Bosnia.
Dodik, the region’s separatist president, who has long favored ties with Russia over those with the West, praised Putin for being a reliable support for the Serbian republic and said he would present him with the medal at their next meeting.
“Thanks to Vladimir Putin’s position and the strength of the Russian Federation, the voice and position of the Republic of Srpska were heard and respected,” he said.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Dodik tried to block efforts by the tripartite presidency for Bosnia to join European Union sanctions against Russia.
At the same time, Russian envoys have supported Dodik in his secessionist efforts aimed at weakening the central government.
Last month Russia condemned the EU for granting Bosnia candidate status to join the bloc. It has previously warned that it would view Bosnia’s moves towards NATO membership as a “hostile act”.
(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic in Sarajevo; Editing by Louise Heavens)