EU Official Signals Bosnia and Herzegovina as a Trusted Ally, Distancing from Russia
European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Policy Oliver Varhelyi has made clear a pivotal stance on Russia and the ambitions of regional partners. According to contemporaneous reporting from Reuters, Varhelyi emphasized that EU allies do not visit Russia and framed a growing pattern of alignment with the bloc’s values and objectives. His comments come in the context of Milorad Dodik, the president of Republika Srpska within Bosnia and Herzegovina, expressing plans to travel to Moscow on May 23 to engage with Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin.
Varhelyi articulated a direct message: Bosnia and Herzegovina should be seen as an ally of the European Union, and those who aspire to strengthen ties with the Union should not pursue engagement with Russia. The commissioner stated, “Whoever wants to be our ally will not go to Russia.” The emphasis here is on aligning with EU norms, shared security interests, and the broader trajectory toward European integration that Varhelyi continues to advocate for the Western Balkans.
In his remarks, Varhelyi highlighted the notable progress Bosnia and Herzegovina has achieved within the European integration process. He expressed optimism about the reforms agreed upon when candidate status was granted and noted the readiness of various stakeholders to implement these reforms. This persistence, he argued, reinforces the country’s clear commitment to becoming a European ally, a sentiment he described as central to the EU’s regional strategy and to the future security architecture of the region (Reuters).
Earlier, Dodik signaled his intent to visit Moscow and engage with Russia, including its leadership, in a statement issued on May 23. The exchange underscores the evolving dynamics in the Western Balkans as regional actors weigh closer cooperation with Moscow against adherence to EU-oriented reform agendas and the bloc’s enlargement policy. The dialogue also reflects broader international considerations around energy security, economic reform, governance, and the strategic calculation of alliance-building in a contested geopolitical space (Reuters).