Russia Says It Will “Retaliate” against BiH If They Take Steps to Join NATO

The Russian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has said it will “react to this hostile act” if the country moves towards joining NATO.

In a statement published on Thursday, the Embassy said that the purpose of NATO is to “fight against Russia” and will force Sarajevo to pick sides in the so-called “military-political confrontation.”

NATO and European Union membership are long-term strategic goals of BiH. Despite this, the Bosnian Serbs, led by pro-Russian Milord Dodik who chairs the country’s tripartite presidency, says BiH should remain neutral and stay out of the US-led alliance.

BiH, Serbia, and Kosovo are the only three Western Balkan countries that remain outside of NATO. North Macedonia was the latest to join in 2020.