Bosnian ruling parties urge Quint to counter Russian-backed threats after Dodik’s removal

A meeting with diplomatic representatives from the Quint was jointly requested by the SDP BiH, People and Justice (Narod i Pravda - NiP), and Our Party (Naša Stranka - NS). The immediate cause was statements from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian embassy in Sarajevo, after Dodik was sentenced to one year in prison and removed from his position as President of Republika Srpska, the Serb entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for defying decisions by the international community's High Representative in BiH, Christian Schmidt.

The Russian embassy warned that Bosnia and Herzegovina had reached a "point of no return" due to Dodik’s removal, suggesting the situation could easily spiral out of control. Support for Dodik after his dismissal also came from Belgrade and Budapest.

Our Party’s Savina Cudic was the first to address the media revealing details of the talks.

"The meeting of Troika officials with Quint ambassadors has ended. We discussed both the political and security situation. There is no need to react to Milorad Dodik's hysterical reactions. We are discussing all aspects in detail. Certain elements ensure peace and stability in BiH. What is crucial is that citizens, especially those in Republika Srpska, know that they are facing the easiest decision in the history of BiH. Will they choose the decision of prosperity or will they "jump into the abyss" for a person who is a former official of this state ," she said.

Elmedin Konaković, head of NiP and BiH's foreign minister, told reporters he was confident the meeting with the Quint ambassadors would strengthen international support for BiH.

I have no doubt about the strength of the Quint countries. These countries are global leaders, a group that stands with BiH, understands the situation, and is willing to help. Of course, new global trends under (Donald) Trump have brought some shifts, but their commitment to peace and stability in BiH remains unwavering. Our friends stand with BiH," Konaković said.

He added that Dodik and his party were now cornered and potentially dangerous, making it important that Bosnia and Herzegovina's friends and strategic partners on the country's European and Euro-Atlantic journey understood this.

The Quint diplomats also reportedly demanded that BiH intensify efforts to complete reform programmes necessary to secure financial support from the European Union. Failure to do so by the end of September could result in the loss of an additional 100 million euros. Konaković expects that, with the support of the HDZ BiH, these reforms will move forward.

After his conviction and removal, and with the EU expressing support for BiH's judiciary and Central Election Commission, Dodik threatened to block BiH's EU accession path. It is unclear how reforms and plans can proceed if the state parliament becomes blocked.

Dodik's lawyer, Goran Bubić, on Monday received the decision from the BiH State Election Commission (SIP) regarding Dodik's removal as Republika Srpska president. He announced plans to appeal it before the Appeals Department of the BiH Court on Tuesday. The court has three days to respond. After that, the decision on Dodik's removal becomes final, and the next step is calling early elections for Dodik's successor.