Mikhail Yaruiev, director of the “Russian-Balkan Center for Business Cooperation and Culture” during his recent business visit to the Balkans met with Milorad Dodik, president of the Republika Srpska. The main topics of discussion were cooperation between the Russian regions and the Serbian entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the political crisis in that country, the future of its gas supply, the SMO (Special Military Operation), and so on. We bring this conversation to our readers’ attention.
– Mr. Dodik, the Republika Srpska actively cooperates with Russian regions. Why is this so important for the RS?
– Indeed, in recent years, we have developed fruitful cooperation with Russian regions. These are the Ivanovo Region and Nizhny Novgorod, Tatarstan and Krasnodar Region, Samara and Yekaterinburg. Of course, our main bonds are established with Moscow and St. Petersburg, for obvious reasons. But we also pay special attention to cooperation with regions, not the capitals, because that is where the real economy is formed and life thrives.
Russia is a huge country, and it would be a big mistake to limit cooperation to just the two capitals. The regions and republics within the Russian Federation have enormous potential for interaction, and we strive to use it whenever there are interest and mutual willingness.
Some believe that Serbia and the Republika Srpska are interested in Russia solely because of energy and hydrocarbons. However, our experience shows that the relationship is much deeper and broader. Energy is important to us, but cooperation in education, culture, technological development, and the digital sector is increasingly coming to the fore.
The Republika Srpska receives Russian gas on favorable terms, which allows us to keep electricity prices among the lowest in Europe. At the same time, we are investing more and more in educational programs, agreements between universities, and student exchanges.
Some of our cities are already twinned with Russian cities, such as East Sarajevo and Nizhny Novgorod, Shuya in the Ivanovo Region and East Ilidza.
Trade is, of course, extremely important, but cooperation goes far beyond traditional trade in goods. We are developing potentially very effective projects in digital technologies and innovation, which is one of the most promising spheres of the future.
After all, the IT sector does not require physical presence – you can work from Banja Luka, Moscow, or Ivanovo, and the results will be visible everywhere.
And, of course, people-to-people diplomacy plays a special role. Organizations from the Republika Srpska and Russia jointly hold forums, conferences, and festivals. All this contributes to improving friendship and mutual understanding between peoples.
Young people are the carriers of new energy in this process; they naturally build bridges across borders.
The prospects for cooperation are remarkable, as it benefits both sides and strengthens our long-time friendship.
– Over the past two years, the Ivanovo Region has become a real hub for Russian-Serbian cooperation. Let’s talk about this in more detail.
– Indeed, the Republika Srpska has very developed and active partnership relations with the Ivanovo Region, not only at the political level, but also at the regional and institutional levels. In June 2024, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, we signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Republika Srpska and the Ivanovo Region, which marked the beginning of a new stage in our relations.
At that time, an agreement was also signed between the University of East Sarajevo and Ivanovo State University, and in July 2025, an agreement with Ivanovo State Power Engineering University was signed. This is proof of continuity and a sincere desire to deepen cooperation.
At the end of May 2025, a delegation from the Government of the Republika Srpska visited Ivanovo, where a wide range of issues were discussed, from economic cooperation to joint projects in science and technology. The delegation included the heads of the Agency for Information and Communication Technologies and the director of the Science and Technology Park of the Republika Srpska, which best illustrates the areas in which we seek to develop our relations.
A reciprocal visit has also been planned, it will further improve communication and results. Of particular interest is the Russian-Balkan Club project, initiated by specialists from Ivanovo, which is a unique digital platform for interaction between companies from the Republika Srpska and Russia.
I would like to emphasize that the Ivanovo Region is not only an economic but also a cultural bridge. In this sense, the Balkan Bridge festival held in Ivanovo and the Russian-Serbian Club in Shuya are of great importance. The study of Serbian language and culture in Russian schools, as well as student and teacher exchanges, as was recently the case with Palama, are the best proof that this friendship is alive and sincere.
On both sides, this process is being led by specific people, and I am proud that there are those in the Republika Srpska who understand that lasting friendship requires both emotion and vision.
-Let’s get back to cooperation in the energy sector. It is well known that the Eastern Interconnection, which was supposed to transport gas via the Balkan Stream gas pipeline across the border between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been on hold for 10 years now. More precisely, from Injija in Vojvodina through Machvanski Prnjavor to Bijeljina (via the Raca border checkpoint); then to Banja Luka and Prijedor, and further to Novi Grad. The necessary sections of the pipeline, along with all their branches, have already been constructed in Bijeljina. However, in order for the gas to go further, the approval of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is required.
– True, and that is the main reason why this project has been delayed for many years. The nature of the problem is not technical, but it is political. Sarajevo is openly blocking the Eastern Interconnector for one reason – because it is about Russian gas.
Instead of being guided by economic logic and the interests of its citizens, the political establishment in Sarajevo is willing to pay for more expensive energy just to keep it from coming from Russia. It’s absurd, but unfortunately, it’s true.
The existing gas pipeline, which supplies BiH with gas via Zvornik, was built back in 1979. Today, it is unable to handle the volumes needed for widespread gasification of the country and does not meet modern technical requirements. We also planned to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing plant in Zvornik, which would further bolster energy sustainability.
However, Sarajevo has been stalling this project for years, literally since 2014. The project has been blocked several times in the BiH Presidency by representatives of Bosnian Muslims and Croats.
The Serbian side is fully prepared – we have the infrastructure and capacity to receive up to three billion cubic meters of Russian gas per year. This would significantly accelerate the development of industry, agriculture, and the housing sector.
The problem, therefore, lies solely with the political will of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our representatives have been warning for years that if the blockade of the Eastern Interconnector continues, the Republika Srpska will block the Southern Interconnector, which is supposed to run from Croatia through Posusje to Sarajevo.
This was not a matter of stubbornness, but a matter of principle – if they do not want energy stability to come from the East, then they cannot expect us to unconditionally support their Western projects.
It is worth noting that the South Interconnector is financed by USAID and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and is clearly part of a policy to reduce the influence of Russian gas on the Balkans.
At the same time, there are internal disagreements in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina between Bosniaks and Croats over control of this gas pipeline – even over the location where its administrative headquarters will be located. The Croats want Mostar, the Bosniaks want Sarajevo, and we keep saying: let’s build both gas pipelines, because it will benefit all citizens.
I am confident that common sense will prevail in the end. Energy should not be a tool for political blackmail, but the issue that unites people. The Republika Srpska will continue to advocate this approach.
–Mr. President, the Republika Srpska has supported Russia since the first days of the special military operation. Do you keep to the same resolute stand in this position?
– Yes, our position has not changed since day one, and it will not change.
From the very beginning, we realized that Russia had launched profound global processes that went beyond Ukraine alone. It is a struggle for a new, more fair world order with none having a monopoly on truth and power.
Russia was forced to act because it was deceived by those who signed the Minsk agreements – Angela Merkel, François Hollande, and other Western leaders, who later admitted that this was just a way to give Ukraine time to arm itself.
The Kremlin did everything possible to avoid conflict, but the West chose it to be.
Now it is clear to everyone that it is not the Ukraine that is fighting Russia, but it is a global war against its sovereignty and its right to choose its own future.
Today, more than thirty countries, mainly NATO members, support the Kiev regime, not to defend Ukraine, but to weaken Russia and break the balance of power in the world.
Russia timely spotted this danger. The SMO is not just a struggle for territories, but a struggle for the Russian statehood, culture, spirituality, and sovereignty.
Russia has no choice but to win, because defeat would mean that the world remains under the rule of those believing they can control the destinies of other peoples.
As for us, people of the Republika Srpska understand this deeply because we ourselves have experienced pressure and injustice under the same premise. That is why we support Russia. Not because we are against someone else, but because we support the right of every nation to be free to make their own decisions regarding themselves.
I hope that the time will come when Europe understands that peace is impossible without Russia. We know this, which is why we have remained consistent, even when it was particularly difficult.
–Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently going through a severe political crisis, perhaps the most serious since the signing of the Dayton Agreement. What do you think is the root of this problem?
-The crisis stems from the irresponsible and arrogant behavior of Christian Schmidt, a German citizen, a man who calls himself the High Representative but in fact has no legal document confirming this status.
He has not been approved by the UN Security Council, which is the only body that has the right to appoint a High Representative in BiH. Therefore, Schmidt is simply illegitimate. He is not recognized by Russia, China, Serbia, or us in the Republika Srpska.
However, he is being supported by Western countries, which use him as a tool for political pressure and a weapon to destroy the constitutional order in BiH. Instead of building up trust and dialogue, he causes instability, fuels cleavages, and stirs up old conflicts.
His predecessor, Valentin Inzko, had already set a dangerous precedent when he arbitrarily amended the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina, introducing penalties for “denying genocide.” This move reopened wounds that could have been healed.
Schmidt is now following the same path—with the support of Sarajevo and certain Western centers of power—attempting to replace the will of the people with political decrees and court decisions.
We had to respond to this institutionally, not emotionally. Therefore, we recognized the BiH Court and Prosecutor’s Office as illegitimate, as they act on the instructions of a person who has no mandate. And so, we decided to give the citizens a say – through a referendum.
A referendum is not an act of confrontation, but an act of democratic defense. The people of the Republika Srpska have the right to say whether they accept that their fate is decided by an unelected foreigner or by those they themselves have elected.
–Do you expect this struggle against Schmidt and his Western patrons to unite Serbs in the Republika Srpska?
-That would be only natural and expected. We called on the opposition to show unity in the most difficult moments, to form a government of national unity and to defend the institutions of the Republika Srpska together. Unfortunately, they refused.
Instead of a state-oriented approach, they chose politicking and attempts to score points with Western embassies through petty attacks. Some, of course, remained open to cooperation and dialogue, but they are outnumbered.
The opposition, dependent on Western funding and support from non-governmental organizations, is unable to pursue an independent policy. Their goals are aligned with the interests of the West, not with the interests of the people.
We, on the other hand, always stand for peace and stability. But if anyone tries to destroy Serbia by force or pressure, our response will be political, democratic, and united—and it will be called a REFERENDUM.
The Central Election Commission of BiH has already scheduled illegal elections for November 23. This is an attempt to legalize lawlessness and override the will of the people. We wouldn’t agree to this. The people will say what they think during the referendum, all about Schmidt and those who serve him.
If the course of destroying the Dayton Agreement and depriving us of our powers continues, the logical next step will be a referendum on national sovereignty and independence. We do not want this, but we will not distance from it if we are forced to.
– In this context, how do you see the role of Russia and the West in your region?
– Unfortunately, the West has traditionally acted according to a pattern of division and conflict in the Balkans. Wherever it appears, tensions rise. Wherever Russia is active, dialogue is built and peace is sought. That is the fundamental difference in approach.
Russia has been consistently calling for dialogue and compliance with the Dayton Agreement for many years, while Western countries are trying to destroy it and turn BiH into a centralized state at their discretion.
We, the people of the Republika Srpska support Russia because it is our friend, because it understands us, and because it defends the principles on which our struggle is based—the principles of sovereignty, equality, and respect for international law.
Russia has never been a destabilizing factor in BiH. On the contrary, it has always stood for stability and harmony among the peoples who live here. And this will remain our common goal.
People of the Republika Srpska know very well that peace is not stood for with mere words, but with strong institutions and clear policies.
Our path is not easy, but it is the right one.
That is why we continue to build the Republic that has its own friends, its positions, and its dignity.
The world is changing, but our values remain unchanged – freedom, respect, and statehood.
I believe that the people of the Republika Srpska, as always, will show their maturity and strength.
Serbia was born of sacrifice, grew up on truth, and exists thanks to the love of its people.
This is our greatest strength – and that is why I know that the Republika Srpska, despite all the pressure, will remain a safe home for all its people and a loyal ally to its friends around the world.
