Dodik was invited but did not attend the US Embassy reception

The President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, did not attend the traditional reception at the United States Embassy (USA) on July 4th, US Independence Day, last night, although he was invited, reports the BiH news agency Patria (NAP).

All top state and entity officials usually respond to the US Embassy's invitation, thus joining the commemoration of the most important date in US history. This reception has become a gathering of all the most important political, as well as diplomatic, economic, and public figures who meet once a year and talk informally. Dodik was a regular guest before, however, he did not come last night.

The US Embassy confirmed to us that Dodik had been sent an invitation to the reception.

- Elected officials are on the guest list for the July 4th reception. This includes entity presidents. Dodik, given his position, was invited to the celebration – the US Embassy told the BiH news agency Patria.

Dodik has verbally attacked and criticized the US Embassy and ambassadors several times in public before, and US officials have avoided meetings with the President of RS during visits to Banja Luka, NAP reports.