A coalition of 28 members of the European Parliament delivered a letter to the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kalas, on March 18, urging immediate sanctions against Milorad Dodik, the President of Republika Srpska.

The letter articulates that Dodik presents a significant threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and thus to the overall security of the European Union, citing his increasingly aggressive secessionist actions and close connections to the Kremlin.

The parliamentarians express that diplomatic efforts aimed at persuading Dodik to alter his policies have proven ineffective, asserting that sanctions are essential to avert further destabilization.

This initiative was led by MPs Tineke Strik, Tijs Rojten, and Irena Joveva, with support from parliamentarians across ten EU member states and five different political groups.

“I spearheaded a letter, signed by 28 members of the European Parliament, appealing to EU High Representative Kaja Kalas to take decisive action and implement sanctions against Milorad Dodik. We must safeguard the security of both Bosnia and Europe from this puppet of Putin,” stated parliamentarian Tineke Strik on the social media platform X.

A group of Euro parliamentarians assert Dodik’s actions align with Moscow’s interests

The Euro parliamentarians contend that Dodik has taken steps toward the illegal secession of Republika Srpska in recent weeks, particularly following his sentencing in a preliminary ruling on February 26, which resulted in one year of imprisonment and a six-year prohibition on political activities for disregarding the High Representative’s decisions.

Subsequently, on February 27, the RS National Assembly ratified, and on March 5, Dodik enacted a decree endorsing a law that bans the operations of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s judicial and investigative institutions within RS territory.

The unilateral abrogation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s jurisdiction over part of its territory contravenes the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Although the Constitutional Court of BiH temporarily suspended these laws on March 7, the actual impact of this measure is uncertain, particularly given the law passed by RS in summer 2023 to disregard Constitutional Court decisions within its territory.

Dodik has asserted that these laws will be enforced despite the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

These recent laws have garnered significant global condemnation, from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, as well as various foreign embassies in BiH.

The Euro parliamentarians claim Dodik’s actions are in line with Moscow’s interests, further exacerbating regional instability.

“It is widely known that Milorad Dodik is one of Vladimir Putin’s last allies in Europe, coordinating his every move with the Kremlin. In 2024, Dodik and Putin met in person three times, and on March 7, the Russian Federation openly supported Dodik regarding ongoing political events,” the letter indicates.

Moreover, the advocates highlight that Dodik’s policies are consistently obstructing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European integration, hindering decision-making at the national level, and undermining essential institutions critical for the country’s advancement on its European path.

The parliamentarians urged Kalas to implement sanctions against Dodik and his associates in accordance with the EU Council Decision dated March 25, 2024, which aims to sanction individuals threatening the sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional order, and international standing of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

They propose that the EU should take action even if certain member states are against sanctions, suggesting the formation of a “coalition of willing member states” to independently impose sanctions on Dodik.

“Sanctions by EU member states could significantly undermine the financial and political influence of Dodik and his allies, contributing to the stabilization of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is vital that the EU adopts a united approach alongside international partners who have already sanctioned Dodik,” the parliamentarians assert.

Furthermore, they stress the importance of reinforcing the role of EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina, indicating that its mission extends beyond maintaining security to also safeguarding the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as outlined in the Dayton Agreement and UN Security Council resolutions.

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