What has changed from November to February: Kalabuhov unwelcome due to principles or a personal attack on Bećirović

By: A. Vrabac

Denis Bećirović, member of the BiH Presidency, has banned the Russian ambassador to our country from being invited to the celebration of BiH Independence Day on March 1st as long as the aggression against Ukraine continues.

At first glance, this would seem like a commendable move. However, the Russian aggression was also ongoing in November 2022, and Russian Ambassador Kalabuhov attended the reception on the occasion of BiH Statehood Day as a distinguished guest. At that time, Bećirović shook his hand. Formally, the members of the BiH Presidency took office on November 16th, and there was enough time to deny him an invitation to Vijećnica then.

However, things are a bit different now. Kalabuhov personally attacked Bećirović due to his stance and support for Ukraine, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the brutal Russian aggression.

Although only a few days remain until the commemoration of March 1st and the ceremony in Vijećnica, most invitations have already been sent to the diplomatic corps and missions in BiH. It is not yet known whether Kalabuhov has already received an invitation or if Bećirović had previously stopped the invitation to the Russian ambassador. 

Although Kalabuhov has clearly stated his views since arriving in BiH as ambassador, supported Milorad Dodik and his secessionist views for the entity of Republika Srpska, is against BiH's path to NATO which Bećirović strongly advocates for, denies the existence of the High Representative in BiH, and attacks Western countries that have sanctioned Dodik, Bećirović only made the decision to deny Kalabuhov an invitation to BiH Independence Day when he was personally attacked.

In June 2022, Kalabuhov addressed the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (NSRS) where he openly threatened a reaction from Russia if BiH decided to join NATO, and at that time claimed that Russia was conducting a "special operation in Ukraine." Bećirović could have also principledly told Kalabuhov then that he was unwelcome, but it seems that this time ego was stronger than principles.