The Croat National Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HNS BiH), which brings together leading Croat political parties in the country, has condemned Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and called for the preservation of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and southeastern Europe.

In a statement issued on Friday, the HNS BiH said that it “fully supports the European Union’s position and joins in the condemnation of Russia’s aggression and invasion of Ukraine.”

“These actions constitute a gross violation of Ukraine’s state sovereignty and the standards of international law and democracy,” it added.

The Bosnian Croat umbrella association called for an urgent cessation of the military aggression, withdrawal of troops from Ukraine and a return to dialogue. It expressed an expectation that the invasion would prompt a strong response from the European Union and the international community.

The disturbing images of suffering and destruction should serve as a reminder of the importance of peace and stability in southeastern Europe, which is still healing the wounds of war destruction in the 1990s. Peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire region, particularly at this point, must be indisputable and fully protected from any threat, the HNS BiH said.