Vucic on Dodik ruling: Serbia has never been in such a difficult situation since 2008

ZITORADJA - Commenting on a decision by a Bosnia and Herzegovina court to uphold a ruling against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday the Serbian National Security Council would adopt conclusions on the issue and noted that, since 2008, Serbia had never been "in such a difficult situation and under such great pressure."

"We have been through numerous crises, from floods, the migration crisis, the coronavirus, the Ukraine war, many things that have been difficult, and numerous provocations against us in Kosovo and attacks in Srebrenica, to everything else. But, following the upholding ruling against the Republika Srpska president, Serbia has never been in such a difficult situation since 2008," Vucic told reporters during a visit to the Zitoradja municipality in southern Serbia.

He added that he would never say a word in praise of the ruling, which he said had been made for a verbal offence by Dodik.

Serbia is under great pressure, he said.

"All afternoon, our entire country - the state leadership and I personally - has been under great pressure from foreigners who want to order the Republic of Serbia how to react," Vucic said, adding that a decision on the issue would be made "by a collective authority, and not by me."

Earlier in the day, a Sarajevo appeals court upheld a first-instance ruling in the Dodik case.

Dodik has been sentenced to one year in prison and a six-year ban on engaging in political activities for what a lower court said was disrespect of decisions by High Representative Christian Schmidt.