Chairman of Bosnia's three-member Presidency, Zeljko Komsic, on Monday called for Bosnia's diplomatic network to "act in line with international law regarding the Ukraine crisis" and support sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, the Presidency's ethnic Serb member, the staunchly pro-Russian Milorad Dodik, opposes sanctions.

“I know Putin, he is a very responsible and great statesman,” Dodik told reporters in Banja Luka on Monday, commenting on a message sent earlier in the day by the head of the EU Delegation in Bosnia, Johann Sattler, who said that “as a country wishing to join the EU” Bosnia and Herzegovina should follow the bloc’s foreign policy, including sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion in Ukraine.

In response, the ethnic Croat member of Presidency, Zeljko Komsic, sent Bosnia’s Foreign Minister, Bisera Turkovic, an instruction to bring the country’s foreign policy in line with the UN Charter banning hostilities against an internationally recognised state, as well as with obligations arising from the country’s Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU.

Under that document, Bosnia and Herzegovina should take steps to promote common positions on security and stability in Europe, including cooperation in areas covered by the EU’s common foreign and security policy.

“I believe that it is therefore unnecessary for Bosnia’s Presidency to vote on whether international obligations should be complied with,” Komsic said in his message, essentially side-stepping Dodik. Meanwhile, Dodik was telling reporters in Banja Luka that Bosnia and Herzegovina actually “does not have a position on the Ukraine crisis as there was no formal discussion about it.”

Dodik said that he personally supported the territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine, but was “resolutely against” sanctions for Russia.

“We will remain completely neutral, we will not join the EU’s or anyone else’s sanctions,” Dodik said, adding that “there is no document compelling Bosnia to fully follow EU policy.” He also attacked the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, for his earlier statement that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine “could spill over to the Western Balkans.”

“Borrell is just spreading anti-Russian propaganda,” Dodik said. He also sent a message to Ukrainian refugees telling them to “not come to Bosnia and Herzegovina” as they would be “worse off there than in their own country.”