Dodik: I will request recognition of Crime as part of Russia

The Ukraine Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has reacted after newly elected statements to Bosnia's tripartite presidency, Milorad Dodik, who has said that after taking office he will seek recognition of the Crimea as part of Russia.

The Ukrainian Embassy has called this statement unfriendly, stressing that it could cause damage to reports between the two countries, as well as to Bosnia's own authority in the international arena.

Independent Social Democrats leader Milorad Dodik said he would launch this initiative to recognise Crime as an integral part of Russia.

“Of course I will start this initiative and aim for the Crime to be recognised at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina” has declared Dodik to the Russian daily Izvestija, adding that the Crime Union with Russia took place after a legitimate “referendium”.

Bosnian Serb leader Dodik has said he is interested, so that once the opportunity is established, he personally visits the Crimea and that he will do so once the first opportunity arises. He has also declared that he will never support Bosnia's membership in the European Union and NATO.

He in this interview also stated that he is interested in building a Russo-Serbian humanitarian centre, the same as one found in Nis, Serbia.