Bosnia's Presidency member Milorad Dodik said that the government of Bosnia's Serb-majority Republika Srpska (RS) entity will provide financial aid to the Ukrainian Church and various associations for their activities in helping the people of Ukraine.

Dodik, who is also the leader of the ruling party in the semi-autonomous RS entity, made the statement after he met with representatives of the Ukrainian national minority along with RS ministers and RS President, Zeljka Cvijanovic, in the town of Prnjavor.

He announced that the RS will support the collection of humanitarian aid for Ukrainians in Prnjavor which would be delivered to them by the Red Cross, Caritas and other available channels.

“If the need arises, and knowing that children from Republika Srpska used to go to Ukraine at a time when there was no heating, electricity and other conditions, we are ready to participate in the accommodation of children from Ukraine and their pleasant stay here, provide education and everything needed,” Dodik said.

He reiterated that “RS supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine and wants the war to end as soon as possible.”

Dodik has repreatedly stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina should remain neutral on the issue of Ukraine, as opposed to his two colleagues in the tripartite Presidency, Sefik Dzaferovic, and Zeljko Komsic, who strongly condemned Russia’s actions.