President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, welcome to Kazan.
The last time we met was not so long ago, but time flies quickly. We met in St Petersburg in June, and before that, in February, at the Games of the Future. Now we are meeting in Kazan.
It is important that Russia’s cooperation with Republika Srpska is very hands-on and is progressing in the spirit of mutual respect, as it should be between fraternal nations.
Our political contacts are expanding. Our colleagues on both sides maintain constant contact in political and economic affairs alike. We are aware of the challenges you are facing and the trials you have to go through. However, we are confident that with your moral fibre and the resolve to defend your national interests that the people living in Republika Srpska are showing, you will be able to overcome all difficulties.
I am delighted to see you and I would like to thank you for visiting Kazan to take part in the BRICS Summit. I hope it has been useful, at least in terms of being updated on what was happening at the BRICS Summit. I am sure that you had useful business contacts during this event.
I am very happy to see you.
President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik (retranslated): Mr President,
I would like to greet you and express my gratitude for the warm welcome we received and for the invitation to Kazan to attend the high-profile meeting that you have organised here. This summit is evidence of the free world seeking to unite and cooperate to counter those who wish to influence other countries’ internal affairs.
You personally deserve all the credit for shaping BRICS into a group that is guided by these principles. We are grateful to you for the opportunity to see this firsthand, and we would also like to be involved in this activity as Republika Srpska, in a format that would allow for this possibility. I know we have opportunities to participate as Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will try this as well. It is not entirely up to us, but we will try to provide some support at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina, too.
I agree with you that our cooperation is indeed guided by mutual trust and respect. We are living through times that are full of challenges, both for you and for Republika Srpska.
Your economic progress is highly encouraging, and I am impressed that you are officially the fourth largest economy in the world according to the IMF. This suggests that the sanctions that have been imposed on you have not achieved the effects intended by the West.
Unfortunately, sanctions have been imposed against us – against me personally, my family, the Speaker of the Parliament, our Assembly, the Prime Minister, and members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is an attempt to sway our position to align with their persistent goals regarding sanctions against your country.
We categorically reject this and refuse to impose sanctions against you. Just two days ago, we declined the demand for Bosnia and Herzegovina to introduce visa requirements for Russian citizens, which exemplifies our commitment to resisting such pressure.
All decisions are made at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The European Union is effectively linking further progress on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path to the adoption of specific decisions, with new demands emerging every day.
Yesterday, the American embassy claimed that there are camps in the Republika Srpska that we supposedly set up together with you to destabilise Moldova. This is a complete falsehood. Such accusations are a clear attempt to exert pressure and poison the atmosphere. I have noticed that they are actively pursuing this narrative. However, the current situation does not seem to encourage them towards any potential intervention.
BRICS has shown that their efforts to isolate both you and Russia have failed, despite their attempts to do so by any means available. This is something I find encouraging.
Thank you very much for allowing us to be here during these significant days, important not only for Russia but, I believe, for the entire world as well. The expansion of BRICS also inspires us with hope.
Vladimir Putin: You know, the attempt to demonise Russia is quite evident. Today at a news conference, someone asked if we are behind the unrest in certain Western capitals. That is utterly ridiculous. We simply lack the means to orchestrate any marches or unrest there. Such claims are absurd. This narrative is merely a tactic to further their own agenda and to avoid responsibility for the fundamental mistakes the West is making in relation to other countries, all in a desperate bid to maintain its dominance at any cost.
The global landscape is evolving, and so is the role of BRICS. I want to emphasise once more, as you may have seen and heard, that we are not engaged in conflict with anyone, nor do we seek confrontation. We are simply charting our own course, developing new tools and mechanisms for cooperation based on equality and mutual respect for each other’s interests. This is how we will continue to operate now and in the future.
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