Balkan Cauldron: Dodik, Kosovo, EU on the Brink of Patience

Milorad Dodik, the Bosnian Serb leader, has once again found himself in the spotlight by initiating legislation aimed at removing state judicial and police structures from the Republika Srpska region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The move has drawn strong condemnation from the EU, which has warned against any attempt to split the country.

To this, Dodik responded by calling Kallas' statement a provocation, saying that "Bosnia is not a real state, and his actions are the protection of the interests of the Serbian people."

Later, in a new statement, he welcomed the calls for respect for constitutional order made by Kallas and other leaders, but clarified that he did not consider High Representative Schmidt's decisions legitimate , since they contradicted Annex 4 of the Dayton Agreement.

Kosovo: Arrests and Old Grievances

Sixteen Serbs have been arrested in Kosovo, accused of links to the Serbian Interior Ministry and the Serbian secret service. The arrests have heightened tensions between the Serbian minority and the Kosovo authorities, adding fuel to long-standing conflicts. The issue of unpaid electricity has also surfaced: Kosovo residents are demanding compensation for electricity bills to Serbian municipalities, an unresolved issue since 1998.

Mass protests

In response to the government's actions in Bosnia and the arrests in Kosovo, protests took place in several cities across the Balkans. In Banja Luka, thousands of people gathered in support of Dodik's decisions, declaring the right to autonomy and independence from centralized structures. In Pristina and North Mitrovica, demonstrations took place with opposite demands - to strengthen control and stop Belgrade's influence on the Serb enclaves.

EU and US reactions

The EU has strongly condemned Dodik's actions, saying it is prepared to impose sanctions if the situation continues to escalate. The US has also expressed concern, calling for dialogue and warning of possible consequences for regional stability.

Analysts' opinions

• Political scientists from the Center for European Studies believe that Dodik is playing on the edge of what is acceptable, provoking Brussels to take tougher measures.

• Balkan experts from the Balkan Forum point to the risk of destabilization of the entire region in the event of further escalation.

• International observers for The Guardian note that events in Bosnia and Kosovo could become a test for European diplomacy and EU unity.

The situation in the Balkans remains tense. Dodik’s actions, mass protests and arrests in Kosovo are not just local incidents, but symptoms of deeper problems in the region that require a careful and balanced approach from the international community.