As tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) continue to rise—most recently marked by a nationwide arrest warrant issued against Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik—, the European Parliament (EP) is now pushing for EU sanctions against him. On 18 March 28 MEPs from the Greens, The Left, Renew, the European People’s Party (EPP), and the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) sent a letter to EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, urging the immediate imposition of punitive measures on the President of Republika Srpska—one of the two entities within Bosnia.
The letter claims that Dodik represents a serious threat to BiH’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as to broader EU security, citing his increasingly secessionist rhetoric and close ties with the Kremlin. MEPs argue that diplomatic efforts have failed and that sanctions are now necessary to prevent the further destabilization of the region.
‘If we fail to agree on sanctions in the Council because a consensus is needed there, it is not our fault, but the fault of one man—perhaps even the last of Dodik’s friends—Viktor Orbán’
One of the signatories, Slovenian MEP Irena Joveva, told Bosnian broadcaster Hayat that while the letter may not have significant immediate impact, its purpose is to maintain pressure. She acknowledged that the European Council is unlikely to reach unanimity on the matter. ‘If we fail to agree on sanctions in the Council because a consensus is needed there, it is not our fault, but the fault of one man—perhaps even the last of Dodik’s friends—Viktor Orbán,’ she remarked.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has long maintained close ties with Dodik. The Bosnian Serb leader was recently hosted in Budapest, where the two discussed their political and economic cooperation agenda for 2025. Last year Orbán was awarded the Order of Merit of the Republika Srpska by Dodik.
Tensions in Bosnia have escalated since Dodik was sentenced to one year in prison and barred from holding public office for six years—a ruling widely seen as politically motivated. The charges stem from his refusal to implement decisions issued by High Representative Christian Schmidt, whose legitimacy Dodik does not recognize. Prosecutors proceeded despite Dodik acting in accordance with Republika Srpska’s constitution, relying instead on the sweeping powers granted to the high representative.
Following the conviction, Orbán defended Dodik, calling the trial ‘a political witch hunt’ and ‘a sad example of the weaponization of the legal system against a democratically elected leader.’ He warned that the verdict also endangers the fragile stability of the Western Balkans.
Since the verdict, the parliament of Republika Srpska has passed several laws curbing the influence of BiH’s federal institutions over the entity.
Tensions between Hungary and BiH have intensified in recent weeks. Sarajevo denied landing rights to the plane of Hungarian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Levente Magyar, and officials have called for the removal of the Hungarian contingent from the EU’s peacekeeping mission, EUFOR Althea.
While the European Parliament presses for sanctions, the United States and United Kingdom have already imposed measures against Dodik. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that Dodik’s actions threaten BiH’s institutions, security, and stability.
Despite the warrant for his arrest, Dodik has announced his intention to run for the presidency of Republika Srpska in next year’s election.
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