"We have shown what we expect by the example of Ukraine": Russia hints at Bosnia and Herzegovina's aggression in case of attempting to join NATO

This was stated by the Russian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Igor Kalabukhov, on the air of a Bosnian TV channel, Balkan Observer reports.

"If it (Bosnia and Herzegovina) decides to be a participant in something, this is an internal matter. But our reaction is another matter. Using the example of Ukraine, we showed what we expect. If there is a threat, we will react", Kalabukhov said.

He noted that he does not think that “in some fantasy, in some reality, Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes a member of NATO”, because there is “no consensus in the country, and it will not be so easy for Bosnia and Herzegovina to make a decision under these circumstances”.

According to the Russian ambassador, Russia does not yet have an action plan for the country, and Moscow will react by "analyzing the strategic and geopolitical situation".

The head of the Presidium of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zeljko Komsic, condemned Kalabukhov's statement.

"The message of the Russian ambassador that there will be a reaction from Russia, giving an example of Ukraine, against which Russia is committing aggression, is unambiguous, but at the same time unacceptable for Bosnia and Herzegovina", Komsic emphasized.

He emphasized that the decision to join NATO can only be a decision of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and not "a pretext for an attack on Bosnia and Herzegovina".

Bosnia and Herzegovina was invited by NATO to join the Membership Action Plan (MAP) in 2010. At the same time, the Serbian part of the state, Republika Srpska, declared its military neutrality in 2017.