Selim Ibraimi- Trouble and uncertainty continue with the rise of BRICS and other geopolitical actors. This is evident on the regional stage of the Balkans. This includes Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. It is happening on the eve of separatist efforts to break up Bosnia and Herzegovina. Senior Serbian officials assisted from Serbia, are openly declaring their disinterest in living in a federation.
We have written about the situation in BiH in previous articles. Today, we will focus on the special trip of Serbian President Milorad Dodik. He is the separatist leader of the Bosnian Serbs and maintains close ties with Russia, Serbia, and other nationalist groups. Meanwhile, the article will also focus on the relationship of the Balkan autocrats with BRICS. Days ago, high representatives from the government of Republika Srpska and Serbia traveled to Kazan, Russia. They went there to participate in the BRICS Summit. The American Embassy in Sarajevo had previously reacted to his (Dodik’s) presence at this Summit. It didn’t take long, Dodik hit back with a harsh reaction.
The American Embassy is responding to the position of the delegation of Republika Srpska at the BRICS Summit. If this is their response, they are acting foolishly. It is clear that Murphy (Michael Murphy, the American ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina) does not have any meaningful response.” “The only worrying thing is that Murphy got upset because he came up with such a stupid lie. There are no camps in Republika Srpska. Republika Srpska is not Maoça (a village in Brčko Municipality) in any part”.
“Of course, the Americans know this very well” – Milorad Dodik wrote on the X network. He then met in Kazan with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. “The West wants to divide Russia. Their goal is to divide Russia into several small parts. They want to make them only satellites of the West.” Dodik said this for the show “60 Minutes” broadcast on Russian television channels.
The international community has pressured the BiH Serbs and their leaders for over a decade. The US and the EU are urging them to respect the Dayton Agreement (1995). However, the situation has gone in a different direction with plans to destroy the Bosnian federation. Now, the Bosniaks are trying to bring the country closer to the EU. They also aim to become part of NATO. Meanwhile, the Serbs are receiving support from Belgrade. The BRICS countries are also lending their assistance. They are trying to build a special all-Serbian territorial bond. This effort undermines all the agreements of 1995. “BiH is prepared to advance its integration into NATO, and is fully committed to contributing to regional and global security.”
“Sarajevo officials said during a meeting with a high-level NATO delegation that NATO’s involvement in Bosnia and Herzegovina was successful. This shows how international cooperation can lead to lasting peace in post-conflict regions.”
We are committed to being a proactive partner in shaping the future of security in the Euro-Atlantic region. Bosnia and Herzegovina play a vital role in the future strategies of NATO. This is essential for keeping the Western Balkans as a stable pillar in Europe.
Without an entire Bosnia and Herzegovina, it will be difficult to maintain the current balance in the Balkans. This is very true. However, the EU and the International Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina have taken some uncoordinated actions. These actions have encouraged the Serbs to continue their policies of destruction. They have also led the Serbs to make their foreign policy independent. We must be clear to the public. This situation can be considered a path to the destruction of the federation. It allows Serbian leaders to decide the fate of not only BiH. Unfortunately, Bosnian Serb and Serbian leaders in the face of the international community have decided to do just that. The US and the EU have sanctioned high-profile politicians from Sarajevo and Belgrade. However, their actions have not impacted the politician’s roles in politics. Milorad Dodik and other Serbian leaders from Serbia have maintained ties with Belarus. They have also maintained ties with Kosovo Serbs. Now, they are in special relations with Serbs in North Macedonia. This is happening as a new government, headed by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, is in power in Skopje.
Peace in the Balkans is at risk. The actions of the current leaders contribute to this risk. The policies of the so-called pro-EU politicians also pose a threat. Additionally, other foreign actors influence the region in different ways. The Serbs’ participation in the BRICS Summit in Kazan shows the direction of the region and the world. They are moving toward fighting against consolidated and developing democracies. The Serbian policy, which is motivating the BRICS countries to become active in the Balkans together with Russia, remains worrying. Their main goal remains the shaking of stability in the Balkans and economic failure. Serbia’s and Russia’s targets remain Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. BRICS mainly consists of Brazil, Russia China, India, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Emirates Arab, and Iran.
In 2009 it was formed as a coalition of states against the West. BRICS has both non-permanent members and prospective members. Serbia is an observer with the chance to become a full member. Observers have noted that Serbia and the Serbs in the Balkans are challenging the West and NATO. They are using a double-game strategy against the EU. The last summit in Kazan has reverberated in the region. Regional (right-wing) media have increasingly reported on BRICS. This includes media in North Macedonia. They see BRICS as an alternative to the EU and the West. Before the BRICS alternatives become a reality, the current stability in the Balkans must be changed. The BRICS geopolitical players themselves must completely replace it. These scenarios would be challenging. The EU has already allocated over 6 billion euros for the development of the Balkan states.
The past and history have played an important role for the nations of the Balkan region. We should always keep this in mind. The interaction between the BRICS, autocrats, and radicals of the Balkans should be viewed in the short term. It should also be considered in the long term in fragile ethnic-religious countries. The economic impact should not be excluded.
The article was written exclusively for Portalb. mk according to their agreement, the publication rights belong only to Portalb. mk and the author.
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