US Ambassador to NATO: We are carefully following what is happening in Republika Srpska, Serbia, so the situation does not turn into regional conflict.

“We are very carefully following everything that is happening in both Republika Srpska and Serbia. Currently, we are focused that the situation does not turn into a possible regional conflict”, Whitaker said.

He stressed that the US “wants stability in the Western Balkans” and that, as he said, is also important for European partners within NATO, who “have the obligation to act together in crisis situations”.

Serbia has been for months involved by antigovernmental protests, which have often turned into episodes of violence, while President Aleksandar Vuciq, without any evidence, accuses foreign magistrates of trying to promote revolution.

In Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik challenges Bosnia and Herzegovina's court's decision to lift the presidential mandate after a sentence and constantly threatens to separate this entity from the rest of Bosnia.

Asked whether NATO would intervene if the political crisis escalated into an armed conflict, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also in Serbia, Whitaker said NATO acts unanimously, but added that “we are far away from something like this”.

“If NATO is included... Rule number one in politics is not to answer your hypothesis. I think we need to see how things are going to develop”, Whitaker said.

“We will continue to encourage all parties to work in accordance with the Dayton Accords”, he said, referring to agreements that ended the war in Bosnia in the years of dealt with 90.

The American ambassador said, too, that “NATO is stronger than ever and that “should be very disturbing for our opponents”.

In question whether US President Donald Trump could meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq, or former Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, Whitaker said there is no warning for such meetings, but that they can be discussed if there are clear benefits for peace and stability.

He said President Trump has a special ability to communicate with world leaders, to use the influence of the American presidency and the power of the state, for the sake of peace, democracy, stability and economic development.

He stressed that if Trump decided to meet with Vuciqi or Dodik, this would not be done to strengthen their political position, but only if it served to advance the broader interests of peace and stability.

“of course would not accept a meeting aimed at strengthening the political position of any leader. This is not what President Trump” does, the American ambassador said.

He described Trump as “peacemaker”, stressing that his policy focuses on results and on creating opportunities for progress.