British Foreign Secretary on Dodik: New sanctions constantly under consideration

(Patria) - David Lammy, British Foreign Secretary, visited the Western Balkan countries of Serbia and Kosovo. He shared his views on the current situation in the region with Politico and assessed the possible future direction of developments.

In his interview with this media outlet, Lammy primarily mentioned Russian influence dominating the region. Consequently, he emphasised that Great Britain believes all six Western Balkan countries should join the European Union to defend against Russian influence.

“At this moment, while war rages in Europe and we see the long arm of Russian interference in this region as well, anyone who looks away from the Western Balkans, where inherited problems remain unresolved, would be foolish. Putin's interest here is to keep the region unstable. It is in his interest for the Western Balkan states to live in tension, to have a destabilised population, and to wage cyber and hybrid warfare,” Lammy stated.

Although all these countries face certain challenges, Lammy specifically singled out Bosnia and Herzegovina, noting that it is currently “plunged into crisis because Milorad Dodik, the President of Republika Srpska, is evading arrest due to his separatist policies.”

The article stated that Dodik was sentenced in the first instance to one year in prison and a six-year ban from holding public office. It also mentioned that he has not yet been arrested despite a central arrest warrant, and that during this time he has crossed state borders and met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The sanctions imposed on him were mentioned, including those from Great Britain. However, Lammy did not rule out the possibility of introducing new ones, or expanding the current ones.

Although he did not wish to disclose details about the type of new sanctions, Lammy said that “such options are constantly under consideration.”

Additionally, Arminka Helić, a member of the British House of Lords originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, told Politico that the current sanctions against Dodik are good but not very impactful, and that they should be tightened.

Lammy also spoke to Politico about the situation in Serbia and Kosovo, stating that during his visit to Pristina he discussed the current situation with Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti. He was told, as he highlighted, that the threat of a new war is real, and that Serbia's cooperation with the “axis of evil” – Russia, China, and Iran – was emphasised.

Furthermore, Lammy stressed that Serbia faces another major obstacle on its European path. This refers to the protests that have been taking place in Serbia for months. Accordingly, Lammy said he stands with the people and that the issue of using a sound cannon at one of the gatherings is particularly problematic.

Additionally, Lammy believes that the EU is not very present on the ground in Serbia, noting that he did not see EU flags at the protests because students believe Brussels turned a blind eye to the corruption occurring in their country.

Here, Lammy again referred to support for Russia, which is, on the other hand, present in Serbia.

“Serbia has discreetly allowed its ammunition to end up in Ukraine, but it is one of only two European countries that have not imposed sanctions on Russia. Its political leadership advocates for joining the European Union, but at the same time maintains close ties with Moscow and Beijing, with whom Belgrade is increasingly deepening economic and military links. It is a paradox,” Lammy concluded.