“But you have to understand that if you join a bloc whose main goal is to destroy Russia, then we have the right to defend ourselves.”
In a lengthy text posted on Tuesday to mark Russia’s Diplomacy Day, Ambassador Igor Kalabukhov stressed that no one has the right to interfere in Bosnia’s affairs, “not Russia, not the EU, not the US.”
“Bosnia-Herzegovina is free to take any step on the world stage, to join any organization. If this is what the majority of citizens want and if it is useful for the country, we will be happy.
Although Kalabukhov said that “as long as you do not take measures against us, we are relaxed and do not feel the need to strengthen our defense,” he continued: “Let’s be realistic: If hypothetically Brussels or Washington ordered the deployment of nuclear missiles aimed at Moscow, then Sarajevo, a future member of the organizations under their control, would be forced to do so.”
Seeking to close on a reassuring note, the ambassador concluded: “Until we are 100% sure of the reality of the nefarious plans to destroy our country, no one will press the red button. Speaking seriously, I don’t think we should expect extreme developments.”
Bosnia-Herzegovina was split into two parts – the Federation and Republika Srpska – at the end of the 1992-1995 war between its three ethnicities, Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs.
Bosnian Serbs oppose the country’s NATO membership and have refused to join international sanctions against Russia.
