MEPs Write to Kaja Kallas: European Union Must Urgently Impose Sanctions on Dodik!

(Patria) - Twenty-eight Members of the European Parliament from several political groups have today sent a letter to Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy, demanding the urgent placement of Milorad Dodik on the European Union's "black list", reports Politicki.ba.

"We are writing to you with an urgent call to initiate sanctions against the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, in order to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and thus European security, against the destabilizing actions of the Kremlin's proxies in our immediate neighborhood.

In recent weeks, Dodik has taken further dangerous steps towards the illegal secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a direct response to his condemnation by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on February 26.

It is no secret that Mr. Dodik is one of the few remaining Putin allies in Europe, closely connected to the Kremlin. In 2024 alone, Putin and Dodik have met in person three times, and on March 7, the Russian Federation issued a statement regarding current events, expressing solidarity with Dodik," the letter reads.

MEPs emphasize that Dodik is pursuing a secessionist policy in close coordination with Moscow, and that the EU must be "extremely concerned about the current security situation in BiH". Therefore, they demand "swift EU action".

"We welcome the decisive step already taken to increase the capacity of EUFOR Althea, emphasizing your understanding of the seriousness of the current threat.

Dodik's actions are also a major factor in BiH's problematic accession process to the EU, often causing blockades in decision-making at the state level and emptying institutions necessary for progress on the European path.

For the reasons stated above, we call on you to initiate EU sanctions against Mr. Dodik and his allies in Republika Srpska, by Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/955 of March 25, 2024, which was adopted to sanction individuals whose activities undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional order, and international subjectivity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to sanction persons associated with them," the MEPs further write.

They specifically emphasize that there is no doubt that the conditions for sanctioning Dodik and his associates have been met.

"Furthermore, it is evident that diplomatic attempts to dissuade Dodik from his current course have failed. It is time to use different tools to address this threat to peace and security in BiH.

Should one or more member states oppose the imposition of EU sanctions against Mr. Dodik, we kindly suggest moving forward with a coalition of willing member states, in light of the seriousness of the current situation. We believe that EU member state sanctions have the potential to seriously undermine the financial and political capacity of Mr. Dodik and his allies, and thus could contribute to stabilizing the current situation in BiH," they further state.

The signatories of the letter also emphasize that "it is of crucial importance that the EU forms a united front with like-minded international partners who have already sanctioned Dodik and his associates."

They also state that "it is of crucial importance that EUFOR continues to publicly emphasize that its role is not limited to maintaining a safe and secure environment. EUFOR has a UN Security Council mandate, and it includes ensuring the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that local actors act in accordance with these fundamental principles, prescribed by both the Dayton Peace Agreement and UN Security Council resolutions.

Furthermore, where necessary, EUFOR should ensure that judicial and law enforcement institutions in BiH are able to perform their duties throughout the entire territory of BiH," they concluded.

Signatories of the letter sent to Kaja Kallas