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Bosnian Serb leaders meet Putin ahead of weekend election

Milorad Dodik and Prime Minister Savo Minic met with Russia's president in Moscow on Tuesday, days before Bosnia's general election.

September 30, 2026

Bosnian Serb leaders meet Putin ahead of weekend election

Bosnian Serb pro-Russian ruling politicians met with Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Moscow, just days ahead of a general election scheduled for Sunday in Bosnia.

Separatist leader Milorad Dodik and Prime Minister Savo Minic traveled to the Kremlin for talks with Putin. According to Bosnian Serb official RTRS television, the leaders received support from the Russian president for the upcoming vote.

Bosnia's approximately 3.4 million voters will participate in Sunday's election to choose a multi-ethnic presidency, the central Parliament, and the institutions of the two entities that make up the country. The complex institutional structure was established under a peace agreement that ended Bosnia's 1992-95 war.

Dodik, a former Bosnian Serb president, is known for his pro-Russian stance and has made trips to Moscow ahead of previous elections as well. The timing of this visit places the meeting just four days before Bosnian voters go to the polls.