EU peace mission remains in BiH, Russia refused to vote

Russia refused to declare its position on the United Nations Security Council resolution on extending the EU peace mission in BiH, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said that citizens of Balkan countries should not be pushed towards the EU. Analysts believe this reflects tensions between Russia and the West, largely due to Ukraine.

Other Council members voted to extend the mission for another year. British diplomat Michael Tatham said this is the first time in 14 years that the decision to extend the EU peace mission has not been unanimous.

High Representative in BiH Valentin Inzko told the Council that BiH needs to change the "vicious downward cycle of quid pro quo politics" and warned those considering secession that BiH's borders will not change. He also added that BiH faces four decisive years.