Putin presented Russia's second-highest decoration to Dodik

Dodik told Putin through an interpreter that Republika Srpska refuses to join Western sanctions against Russia, despite, he says, daily pressure, and that he does not want to join the NATO alliance.

We confirm the good relations that Republika Srpska has and cultivates with the Russian state and with you. What we are doing under the current circumstances is that we reject any possibility of joining Western sanctions against Russia,” said Dodik.

He stressed that relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina are complicated by, as he said, “the fact that we are still under the protectorate of the West”, and he reiterated his earlier claims for which he has Russia's support that the top international representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, was not appointed to this task with the UN Security Council's decision.

He also spoke of his good relations with Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, saying this “makes the situation easier” for Republika Srpska.

Putin estimated Dodik's visit would be “useful” and that he is grateful for maintaining regular contacts and that relations between Russia and Republika Srpska are constructive.

“Representatives of the leadership of Republika Srpska visit us regularly and co-operate with us in various areas. I am sure that this visit of yours will also be useful and that we will be able to use the time to discuss bilateral relations in many different areas”, Putin said.

At the start of the meeting, Putin said that “Russia knows that the situation is not simple”.

Putin handed over to Kazan today, Aleksandar Nevski's “commander, Milorad Dodik.

Dodik was honoured for the great “contribution: developing co-operation between Russia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and strengthening partnership with Republika Srpska.