SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — The Bosnian Serb separatist leader has awarded Russian President Vladimir Putin with the highest medal of honor for his “patriotic concern and love” for the Serb-controlled half of Bosnia. Bosnian Serb president Milorad Dodik says “Putin is responsible for developing and strengthening cooperation and political and friendly relations" between Republika Srpska and Russia. He made the comments at the awards ceremony in the Bosnian Serb stronghold of Banja Luka on Sunday. Dodik visited Putin in September in Moscow and has maintained close ties with the Russian president despite Russia's war in Ukraine. The medal will be presented to Putin during the next meeting between the two.
Darko Vojinovic/AP
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik speaks during a news conference after claiming victory in a general election in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, 240 kms northwest of Sarajevo, Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. Polls have closed Sunday in Bosnia's general election in which voters chose their new leaders from among the long-established cast of sectarian candidates and their challengers who pledged to eradicate, if elected, corruption and clientelism in government. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
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