Bundestag member Josip Juratovic told N1 that Russia's aggression on Ukraine helped the European Union realise that by defending the Western Balkans and Bosnia and Herzegovina it defends its own values. He warned if Russian President Vladimir Putin tries to destabilise Bosnia, he will do so through nationalist forces.

“I am more afraid of destructive powers in Bosnia and Herzegovina than Putin's attacks,” Juratovic said.

Speaking in N1's Pressing, the Bundestag member noted that Germany supports Bosnia's and Ukraine's accelerated path to the EU membership.

“It has become clear to us with the aggression on Ukraine that the security of the EU is questionable too,” he stressed, adding that no one knows all the things that Putin is capable of doing.

“That's why we are absolutely aware that we must strengthen the EU's security but also the security of the Western Balkans. The integration now needs a speeded up process,” added Juratovic.

According to him, the EU is ready more than every to start this process but it is also up to the local actors.

“This is no longer the EU neighbourhood, the Western Balkans is its courtyard. We must see to have this courtyard normally integrated into the EU,” he said.

Who are Putin's players in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Explaining why Russia could have a special interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Juratovic said that Russia is always interested in unstable regions with nationalism, political unrests.

“They can always use instability in a way to jeopardise the EU. That's why it is necessary to watch and see who are Putin's players in the region. Those persons and those structures need to be disabled,” he stressed.

Asked who are ‘Putin's satellites’ in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he replied:

“Putin's players are nationalists across EU and political structures that aspire to totalitarianism.”

Here he mentioned Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, saying that he is “flirting with Putin and Russia” but that he also has accomplices.

“(Bosnian Croat leader) Dragan Covic is, for instance, very disputable here. But, I must add one important thing – there is also the Bosniak nationalism. It goes in their favour – nationalism justifies nationalism. We, democrats in Europe, must fight against nationalism of any sort,” Juratovic underlined.

According to him, the presence of Germany in BiH, which among other things reflects in the role of the international peace envoy, High Representative Christian Schmidt, is a sign for Russia that this is the region where the EU will work on democratic values. Also, he added, the announced visit of German Foreign Minister to BiH is a sign for Putin that he must not play with BiH.

The parliamentarian expressed concerns over “destructive powers within BiH,” saying that he fears them more than Putin's direct attack.

“If he tries to destabilise BiH, he will try to make a chaos with the help of nationalists. And that's the key to everything,” he underlined.

According to him, Dodik remains the key problem for the sovereignty and integrity of BiH. But, the radicals are present in all groups.

“If you want peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, then each group must take care of their radicals – they are present in all groups,” he added.