NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and U.S. Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley have issued strong warnings against separatist actions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, targeting Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.
Grassley accused Dodik of pushing separatism, emphasizing that such efforts had failed in the 1990s and would not succeed now. He also criticized Bosnian Croat leaders, suggesting they had begun similar activities.
“Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik supports separatism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now, separatists among the Bosnian Croats have also taken action. This is a troubling echo of the 1990s for many who fled violence and genocide during that period. Separatism did not end well then, and it will not succeed now,” Grassley said.
Escalating Tensions Over Republika Srpska’s New Laws
Dodik recently signed laws aimed at blocking the jurisdiction of Bosnia’s judicial institutions in Republika Srpska, including the State Court, Prosecutor’s Office, State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council. These laws, adopted on February 27 during a special session of the Republika Srpska National Assembly, were published in the entity’s official gazette.
However, Bosnia’s Constitutional Court last week suspended the laws, prompting an angry response from Dodik. The move has been condemned by several European countries, the United States, and legal experts, who consider it a serious attack on Bosnia’s constitutional order.
Grassley, as President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate, holds a senior legislative role and presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President of the United States.
NATO Chief Rutte: Secessionist Threats Are Dangerous
Speaking at Sarajevo’s Faculty of Political Science, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reaffirmed NATO’s support for Bosnia’s sovereignty, warning against secessionist rhetoric and threats to the country’s stability.
“Dayton must be respected by all parties. EUFOR is here alongside NATO, working with you to strengthen defense and modernize Bosnia’s Armed Forces. Security creates the conditions for economic growth and prosperity. Statements hinting at Bosnia’s dissolution are concerning, and secessionist threats are dangerous. My message to your leaders is clear—set these disputes aside and move forward. We will not allow a security vacuum or the undermining of hard-won peace. This message also extends to your neighbors,” Rutte said, according to Vijesti.ba.
Rutte emphasized that a stable Western Balkans is a NATO priority, pointing to the benefits of membership for Croatia and Montenegro.
“Look at the advantages NATO membership has brought to Croatia and Montenegro. The choice is yours, and we will support your reform efforts. The University of Sarajevo, like NATO, is celebrating 75 years. Now, this responsibility passes to you, the new generation, to close the doors to a difficult past. Bosnia’s future is closely tied to the European Union,” Rutte said.
When asked about Dodik’s threats and NATO’s response, he reiterated:
“We will not allow a security vacuum. Everyone must respect institutional decisions. Some politicians here are frustrated with the Office of the High Representative—but why? We have challenged the three members of Bosnia’s Presidency to lead. They must sit down, engage in dialogue, and move the country forward,” Rutte said.
On NATO’s coordination with the EU in responding to threats from Republika Srpska, Rutte emphasized close cooperation but did not elaborate on specific measures.
Bosnian Deputy Defense Minister: No Security Threats, Only Political Crisis
Meanwhile, Bosnia’s Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandar Goganović met with Rutte in Sarajevo, stating that cooperation with NATO is proceeding as agreed under Bosnia’s Reform Program.
“I informed the Secretary-General that Bosnia does not face major security threats, but rather a political crisis that can only be resolved through constructive dialogue among domestic political actors,” Goganović said.
He stressed his “absolute opposition” to any mention of using Bosnia’s Armed Forces in the current political tensions and praised cooperation with EUFOR.
“I conveyed to the NATO Secretary-General that Republika Srpska is firmly committed to resolving political tensions exclusively through peaceful means and to respecting the Dayton Peace Agreement. I emphasized that regional cooperation is crucial for peace in this part of Europe and that a stable Balkans contributes to security across the continent,” Goganović stated.
