MOSCOW. May 23 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed gratitude to the President of Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, for his reserved stance on Ukraine, adding that only such attitude to the situation could result in a positive resolution.
"We are grateful to you for your neutral attitude to the events in Ukraine, such stance is the only thing than can result in some sort of positive resolution. But in any case, we are grateful to you for your restraint," Putin said at a meeting with Dodik in the Kremlin.
Dodik, for his part, noted that Republika Srpska "is facing tremendous pressure" for its stance.
"Republika Srpska remains persistent in its stance [against] the policy of trying to shift the blame onto only one side. And we believe that Russia fought hard for the security framework and previously tried to ensure guarantees, but was forced to start the special military operation. I would like to wish that it ends as soon as possible. Of course, we all want peace to prevail," Dodik said.