Russia has clearly threatened that the situation in Ukraine could spill over to Bosnia and Herzegovina if the country moves closer toward NATO membership, but BiH authorities do not seem to be taking this threat seriously, former Sarajevo mayor and professor, Ivo Komsic, said on Sunday.
Speaking at the session of the Circle 99 (Krug 99) association of intellectuals, Komsic stressed that BiH could be in danger and that the current situation and possible consequences for the state are not being taken seriously. He noted that other countries, for example neighbouring Serbia, have started the accumulation of commodity reserves and raised their combat readiness, while BiH has done nothing of the sort.
“It is very clear what Putin is saying. It is important for us to assess the situation, whether the Ukrainian scenario in BiH is possible. Well, he said it was possible. That's what Putin said,” he stressed.
“He also said that when he attacked Ukraine. Nobody believed it. But he did it,” he said, pointing out that Russia said BiH is also “below the red line that cannot be crossed.”
“He put her in his zone of influence,” Komsic added.
The professor argued that Putin wants to have BiH under his influence as well as Ukraine, noting that Russia has warned that it would have to take action if BiH made further steps toward NATO membership.
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BiH is, according to Komsic, apparently “blind” when it comes to these messages or intentionally ignores them, he said, adding that “this is a serious and real threat.”
Komsic argued that the statements of the Serb member of Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency, Milorad Dodik, as well as those of Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vucic, should be closely followed in light of this.
“I don't know if there is any institution in our country that deals with this seriously. Someone who would assess this and make it available to state bodies, whose function is to protect this state. I don't know if there is such an institution, but if there is, then it should not be kept a secret,” he said.
