Milorad Dodik: My main goal - an independent Republika Srpska - has not disappeared

Dodik described his withdrawal from the post of Republika Srpska President as "stepping back" because "certain elements from Europe and other places, especially Bosniaks in Sarajevo," were allegedly ready to "resort to weapons." However, Dodik has been convicted in a final verdict before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and has been banned from holding public office.

"I took a step back. I wanted to eliminate any threat, conflict and war. I withdrew to, as they say, a destination from which I can always act and work. But my main goal -an independent Republika Srpska - has not disappeared. I want to reach that goal. Through a peaceful political process, using the international timing that is being created," Dodik said, in violation of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Officially called Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the country consists of two semi-autonomous entities - Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, both governed by two separate governments but represented in the central state institutions in Sarajevo.

For years, Dodik has been advocating the secession of Republika Srpska, which means a direct violation of Bosnia's constitutional order set up by the Dayton Peace Agreement.

“We support Israel’s right to sovereignty”

Dodik also spoke about his recent visit to Israel, indirectly justifying the war Israel is waging.

"Many of our people are not familiar with the story of Israel. Many have this or that opinion. It is a country that is fighting - a people fighting for their freedom - a people who have been displaced, who know that anywhere in the world there is insecurity for a Jew, and they want to have Israel as their unquestionable and stable state, as a safe destination and refuge for any, God forbid, unfavorable solution. In any case, history forced them into that. Of course, these events around Gaza happened, but it should be said that Israel did not initiate this, Israel did nothing to cause it - instead, there was a terrorist attack on October 7. We all know that. We support the legitimate right of Israel, the Jewish people, to a state and the right to their own sovereignty. That is the right we are fighting for as well. And we find understanding for that right in those places," Dodik said.

Dodik said he had an "impressive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu," during which they discussed "all issues."

Criticism of people in Republika Srpska

He again accused Bosniak politicians of working to "tear apart Dayton Agreement," and once again mentioned judicial institutions at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Armed Forces of BiH, avoiding to mention that all this has been voted on in the State Parliament - including measures supported by members of his own party.

"They want to bring it as close as possible to a unitary country. Behind that concept were the bright minds of the West who sought the introduction of roads, various stories and lies about European integration and many other things — the centralization of many functions in BiH (...) They do not see that all, for example, Western interventions aimed at strengthening that function are directed toward the Court of BiH and the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH. Along the way they include SIPA, and our police officers are supposed to humbly stand guard at the entrance doors while they operate inside - and this is something that must be clear to this people,” Dodik said.

He also said he "made Banja Luka the capital," despite the fact that even the Republika Srpska Constitution mentions Sarajevo as the capital city.

On EUFOR and “friends” supporting RS independence

He then elaborated on the new geopolitical situation in the world, saying he would "insist with Russian friends that the ALTHEA mission be abolished," referring to the European Union's military mission EUFOR observing the peace implementation in the country, and accused the former EUFOR command of considering a scenario similar to the one in Venezuela for Nicolás Maduro - but this time for him.

"And we knew that. But we told them then - our police told them - try it, you won’t do it that easily," Dodik said.

He again spoke about Republika Srpska secession, claiming it would happen "overnight." As many times before, he again referred to the Bosniaks, one of three main ethnic groups in the country, as to Muslims.

"We are asking Muslims to understand this moment they are in, to come and propose certain solutions that are not humiliating for us and to talk about it. If you won’t, we will have to, from our defensive position, finish the matter one night when we assess that it is appropriate. And in the morning, in Doboj and many other places, crossings will appear that will function, and within Republika Srpska all laws passed by the National Assembly will apply. We have not given up on that. We have taken one step back. All the laws are there. All of them. That’s why I poke around, look, search for a friend - and I can tell you we have a friend," Dodik said.

Because of this, he said, he organized visits to Israel, Hungary, Serbia, France, and the United States, and announced another visit to Moscow.

He also claimed that the German government’s special representative for the Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin, "stated that there is a transcript showing he knows RS will secede, but that he is there to make life difficult for them."

"We are in a group of strong players," Dodik added, stating that opposition politicians "are not relevant because only he is committed to the goal."

At the end, Dodik emphasized that his "political enemies are Bosniaks," but also said that "there are good people among Bosniaks."

"I respect those people, I wish them all the best. In Republika Srpska there is a Bosniak community. I want their peace and stability and I will not allow anyone to endanger their existence here," Dodik said.

He also spoke insultingly about BHRT, accusing it of being one of a number of services used "to attack Republika Srpska."