Newsweek: If Moscow is pushed against the wall, it will order Dodik to hold a referendum

WASHINGTON, (Patria) - Bosnia and Herzegovina is approaching a bloody armed conflict, writes the prominent American weekly Newsweek, based on a report titled "BiH in the Russian secession bloc".

According to B92, the report revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin supports Serbian separatists to prevent the official Sarajevo's intention to integrate into Western political, social, and economic flows.

- Experts warn that such dynamics could open the Ukrainian scenario in the heart of Europe - writes Newsweek.

Newsweek writes that the buildup of armed forces is happening in Republika Srpska, and that local police and other security formations are receiving Russian military, armament, and tactical assistance, as evidenced by documents that the American magazine, as stated, had access to.

It is also stated that Moscow supports paramilitary Serbian nationalist formations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, noting that the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, often assesses BiH as a failed state, constantly thanking Russia for its support.

- Russia is working to form a clientelist state in BiH to prevent its intentions to join NATO. Russian paramilitary formations have already organized the conflict in Ukraine with the same intention - writes the American newspaper.

Newsweek also conveys the statement of Michael Carpenter, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia, and the Balkans.

- If Moscow feels cornered, it will be able to order Dodik to initiate a referendum on the independence of Republika Srpska - states Carpenter.

Newsweek also writes that more than 4,000 automatic rifles have arrived in the entity in two years, and that in February, Dodik himself admitted that the government had purchased 2,500 rifles for the local police, but experts claim that this armament is unnecessary for police forces of around 5,000 people.

The text also states that there is a belief that there are about half a million illegal weapons in BiH, left over from the wars of the 1990s.