US Defense Ministry: Russia supports the separatist movement of Serbs led by Dodik

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The US Department of Defense from May this year, which Radio Free Europe (RSE) has access to, reports Patria.

When it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the report states that the country's relations with Russia are complicated by ethnic and political tensions in that country.

"There is evidence that Russia supports the separatist movement of Bosnian Serbs led by Milorad Dodik. Russian support for the separatist movement is motivated by a desire to prevent BiH from joining NATO and the European Union. Tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina are further fueled by the relationship between state institutions and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity on one side, and the predominantly Serb entity of Republika Srpska on the other. The leading parties of Bosnian Serbs oppose NATO membership, and their stance provides Russia with an opportunity to destabilize BiH," the report states.

In the Western Balkans, Russia is determined to reject the influence of the European Union and the US and to reduce the influence of NATO, according to the US report.

"A key part of Russia's strategy is to turn public opinion against Euro-Atlantic integration. Russia uses tools, including economic aid, diplomatic support, energy dependence, and targeted communication and disinformation campaigns," the report states, adding that "the US and the European Union cannot afford ambivalence in the Western Balkans, as such an approach opens the door to Russian malign influence."

"There are numerous examples of Russian malign influence, including: the attempted coup in Montenegro, an aggressive Russian disinformation campaign aimed at disrupting the referendum in North Macedonia on the name change agreement with Greece, which was a prerequisite for North Macedonia's membership in NATO," the document lists.