The European Union has been crystal clear with its partners when it comes to relations with Russia, the European Commission spokesperson told N1, commenting on the visit of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik to Moscow and his meetings with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

“Relations with Russia cannot be business as usual with Putin's and in the shadow of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Let’s not forget that Putin is the one ordering and overseeing a massive violation of UN Charter and human rights in Ukraine, where Russia is committing atrocities by indiscriminately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, looting Ukrainian property and territories or kidnapping children,” the spokesperson said.

The EU recalled on a number of occasions and most recently the HRVP said it on Monday after the meeting of EU foreign ministers with the foreign ministers of the Western Balkans that “maintaining close ties with Russia is incompatible with the EU path.”

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“The European Union wants to count on all candidate countries as reliable European partner for common principles, values, security and prosperity,” the spokesperson added.

During his last week's visit to Sarajevo, EU enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi noted that “EU allies do not go to Russia.”