Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik criticised Bosnia’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković on Saturday, accusing him of disrespecting Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić and worsening political tensions.
In a post on social media, Dodik said Konaković should “stand up” when mentioning Vučić, adding that Serbia had done more for people in Bosnia and Herzegovina than Konaković “could promise”.
Dodik also accused Sarajevo of responding with hostility to what he described as Serbia’s respectful approach toward Bosnia, while reiterating Belgrade’s support for Republika Srpska.
His remarks followed comments by Konaković at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he criticised Serbia’s leadership and questioned Vučić’s decision to appear alongside Dodik at a recent press conference in Belgrade.
Konaković also raised concerns about statements by Serbian officials regarding military strength in the region, asking whether such messages reflected respect for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Separately, Dodik reiterated his long-standing position challenging Bosnia’s institutional framework, and again suggested closer ties between Republika Srpska and Serbia, an issue that has drawn repeated concern from the international community.
Dodik, who has been under U.S. sanctions since 2017 over actions seen as undermining the Dayton peace agreement, was sentenced last year by Bosnia’s state court to one year in prison for defying decisions of the international High Representative.
Analysts say such rhetoric risks further escalating political tensions in Bosnia and the wider Western Balkans.