BiH FM to EU: Confront Russia in the heart of Europe or admit Putin is stronger

Speaking after returning from Paris, Konakovic said BiH remains firmly tied to the European path, both politically and economically, warning that any drift away from the EU would deepen the country’s crisis, drive away investors, and accelerate the departure of young people.

He said BiH has managed to preserve what he called a “moral compass” on major global conflicts, including Gaza and Ukraine, arguing that the country, because of its own wartime experience, has the right to condemn crimes regardless of who commits them. At the same time, he stressed that Bosnia is bound by its European obligations, including alignment with EU foreign policy under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

Konakovic used the occasion to criticize domestic populism, saying some politicians exploit emotions over global tragedies while ignoring Bosnia’s concrete strategic and economic dependence on the EU. He pointed to the country’s exports, the vast majority of which go to EU markets, and to mounting pressure from transport and business sectors that rely on closer access to Europe.

He also said France had become more engaged in pushing Bosnia to complete the remaining technical steps needed to open EU accession talks, including adopting two pending laws and appointing a chief negotiator. He warned that the current “window of opportunity” may not stay open much longer.

The strongest part of his remarks was directed at European officials who frame Bosnia’s crisis as a failure of local compromise. Referring to comments from Croatian MEP Tonino Picula, Konakovic said Bosnia is not simply a country where “three sides cannot agree,” but a place where pro-Russian actors, led by Milorad Dodik and his SNSD party, are actively obstructing the country’s European path.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina is a test for the European Union,” Konakovic said. “If the EU allows Dodik and those acting on Moscow’s orders to block the integration process, then it should look in the mirror and admit it is powerless to confront Russia in the heart of Europe - and that Vladimir Putin is superior.”

He argued that the EU has tools at its disposal, from sanctions to the authority of the High Representative, but has too often failed to act decisively.

Konakovic also announced a visit to Washington, where he will attend an event promoting the Sarajevo Haggadah on Capitol Hill and hold meetings with U.S. officials, senators and congressmen, as part of what he described as a constant effort to counter lobbying and narratives pushed by fromer presdient of BiH's Republika Srpska (RS) entity Milorad Dodik.