Senators Write to Rubio: Use All Available Tools Against Dodik and His Enablers

(Patria) - U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Jeanne Shaheen lead a congressional initiative for urgent diplomatic action to protect the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is clearly stated that unconstitutional actions must be stopped!

Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has also joined the initiative, which includes an official letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The letter is signed by Senators Charles E. Grassley, Jeanne Shaheen, James E. Risch, and Richard J. Durbin, four of the most powerful senators.

Co-signatories include Congressmen Thom Tillis, Chris Van Hollen, Peter Welch, Mike Quigley, and Ann Wagner.

They demand that the Trump administration use all available means against Dodik and his enablers.

In the letter, they express deep concern over the recent actions of Milorad Dodik, the leader of the Republika Srpska entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina.

For years, he has engaged in secessionist activity, challenging the state institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, undermining the Dayton Agreement, and threatening the territorial integrity and ethno-social cohesion of the country. In response, the United States, including the first Trump administration, imposed sanctions on Mr. Dodik and individuals and entities that aided his secessionist actions, the letter states.

On February 26, 2025, the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina sentenced Mr. Dodik to one year in prison and banned him from political activity for six years as a consequence of his decision to implement unconstitutional laws that rejected the authority of the Constitutional Court and the Office of the High Representative. Mr. Dodik has promised to ignore the verdict and continue with his separatist agenda, leading him to take steps toward a possible secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the letter reads.
It further states that Dodik and his allies have escalated the secessionist crisis they themselves provoked.

The National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted, and Dodik implemented, two new unconstitutional laws aimed at banning the functioning of state security and judicial institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina within Republika Srpska. Institutions of Republika Srpska have been ordered to use force to stop and prevent the legal and lawful actions and functioning of institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the borders of Republika Srpska. In addition to threats of force, threats of arrest, sanctions, and criminal proceedings have been directed at employees of state institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina who live and work in Republika Srpska, should they continue to perform their federal duties. This is a direct attack on the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Dayton Peace Agreement, it states, adding:

We call on the administration to use all tools at its disposal, including diplomacy and sanctions, to prevent the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina from deteriorating. Specifically, we call on your administration to:
Expand targeted sanctions against Dodik and his enablers, including additional financial restrictions and travel bans for those who undermine the sovereignty and democratic processes of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Increase diplomatic engagement with Bosnia and Herzegovina, including appointing a special envoy for the Western Balkans to coordinate policy.
Work closely with European allies and partners to present a unified international stance against secessionist threats, including considering the readiness of the EUFOR mission for Operation Althea to address potential security threats.

Strengthen the statement of the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a public and unequivocal affirmation at the highest levels that the United States is committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The security, stability, and economic prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina remain of critical importance to the interests of the United States in the Western Balkans. Strong U.S. leadership, in cooperation with our allies and partners, is essential to counter Mr. Dodik's destabilizing agenda.

We stand ready to support the administration's efforts in this regard and look forward to continued cooperation to advance peace, stability, and democratic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the letter concludes.