Dodik: U.S., German, French, UK Leaders To Be Decorated in Forthcoming Years

Milorad Dodik (Beta/Dragan Gojic)

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik stated on Jan. 11 that he would propose for the Medal of RS on a necklace to be issued to the presidents of the U.S., Germany, France and the United Kingdom in the forthcoming years.

"They are presidents of the countries that are deserving for the Dayton agreement," Dodik stated during a Christmas reception in the Kozara barracks in Banjaluka, organized by the Third Infantry (Republika Srpska) Regiment of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He added that RS was honored that Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted the Medal of Republika Srpska on a necklace, which Dodik issued to him as the greatest recognition to a foreign statesperson, on the occasion of RS Day. He explained that RS contacted Putin a few months ago and asked whether he would accept the medal, which the Russian president did, and pointed out that Putin was a politician who supports the position of RS within the Dayton agreement.

Dodik said that Republika Srpska had not abandoned the policy of neutrality regarding the war in Ukraine, but that it "does not consent to becoming a part of anti-Russian hysteria." He said RS would continue to mark Jan. 9 as the Day of the Republic, which the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina ruled unconstitutional, "even more solemnly and joyfully," adding that RS wanted peace, as well as to "protect its tradition and constitutional jurisdiction."