Dodik

Dodik pointed out that Serbia was inclined to push all those events into oblivion so that others would not get angry, until Vui came to power.

In the midst of Russia's failed mutiny, Dodik - one of the few politicians in the world who in past years has met Putin regularly, almost every year - may have tried to draw the Kremlin to support his two-decade-long separatist dream, some officials have said. 

During his visit to Banja Luka in December last year, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban promised 100 million euros in financial assistance to Bosnia's Serb-led entity, Republika Srpska, as part of Hungary's Responsible Neighbourhood policy, to enhance stability in the region.

He also said that Milorad Dodik, the Serbian member of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, spreads ethnic hatred, but also that "there are many worse than him".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) and Bosnia presidency member Milorad Dodik (L) meeting in Sarajevo, July 8, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/FEHIM DEMIR

The Bosnian Serb leader earlier threatened to withdraw all Bosnian Serb officials from state-level institutions and re-establish a Bosnian Serb army, fomenting fresh fears of Bosnia's collapse and of armed conflict.

Bosnian Presidency member Milorad Dodik (R) shakes hand with Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Linhart (L) as he arrives for a meeting at the Bosnian Presidency, 15 October 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE/FEHIM DEMIR

Bosnia and Herzegovina faces possible break-up and renewed conflict if Bosnian Serb political leader Milorad Dodik finally goes ahead with his separatist agenda-but is he serious about seceding, or just seeking to consolidate political power?

The RS is almost wholly economically dependent on Sarajevo, and on increasingly frequent financial transfusions from Belgrade.

Vucic took to the stage, adjusted his suit, and read the room. In the front row were some familiar faces: Former US Vice President Mike Pence, the prime ministers of Slovenia and Czechia, Janez Jansa and Andrej Babis, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and the man they had all come to see, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Czech PM Andrej Babis; Slovenian PM Janez Jansa; Hungarian PM Viktor Orban; Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic; Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik; and Hungarian Families Minister Katalin Novak on the stage at the 4th Budapest Demographic Summit in Budapest, Hungary, 23 September 2021. EPA-EFE/SZILARD KOSZTICSAK