Russia claims Bosnia could suffer the same fate as Ukraine if it decides to be part of Nato | The Independent
By: Emily Atkinson (The Independent)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
'Ukraine's example shows what we expect. Should there be any threat, we will respond,' says top Russian official
Emily AtkinsonThursday 17 March 2022 20:15 Comments ✕ Close 11-year-old boy who travelled alone across Ukraine reunited with his mother
A senior Russian official has claimed that Bosnia and Herzegovina could be subject to the same brutal aggression as Ukraine if it joins the Nato military alliance.
Speaking to broadcasters on Thursday, Russia's ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Igor Kalbukhov, said the country was free to make its own choice with regards to Nato, but warned the Kremlin would "respond".
He told FTV: "If [Bosnia and Herzegovina] decides to be a member of any alliance, that is an internal matter. Our response is a different matter.
"Ukraine's example shows what we expect. Should there be any threat, we will respond."
He went on to accuse Western allies of fuelling tensions with the aspiring Nato member in suggesting Moscow had hatched a "plan" to hit back at the country.
"We do not have any plans," Mr Kalbukhov added, echoing previous comments made by the Kremlin about having "no plans" to conduct an offensive on neighbouring Ukraine.
Smoke and flames rise due to a fire that broke out after Russian rockets hit warehouses in Sviatoshynskyi district, Kyiv
(Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The US embassy in Sarajevo has since condemned the comments made by the Russian ambassador and reiterated their continued support for the country.
A policeman collects evidence of a falling shell in a house in Kyiv
(Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The US embassy tweeted: "The Russian Ambassador's latest threats to Bosnia and Herzegovina are dangerous, irresponsible, and unacceptable. No third party has a say in security arrangements between NATO and sovereign countries.
"We will continue to stand firmly by Bosnia and Herzegovina as it takes the necessary steps to secure its place in the Euro-Atlantic community of nations."
Despite stark Russian warnings, Vladimir Putin's troops would have to cross a series of Nato territories in order to reach Bosnia and Herzegovina. Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia all stand in its way, among others, suggesting the ambassador's comments may just be for effect.
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Bosnia Hercegovina is surrounded by NATO countries and is in the heart of the western Balkans. Russia has been meddling there along with Serbia for some time as Russia has in Macedonia (NATO country) for years. This could easily become the next tinder box along with Kosovo.
Putin is leading Russia into suicide.
An attack on Bosnia, Russia would have to cross a number of NATO countries, which would be suicide for the Russians.
I keep waiting for someone to take putin out.
There has to be some people in the Russian government that are sick of him.
I honestly don't think this will end unless and until that happens. Russians need to stand up for their country and get rid of the man destroying it.
I read yesterday I think that about 15k people were arrested in Russia.
I hate to agree with you but I think that is where we are at.
He either continues or is gone. There is no negotiating with him.
There are reports of tens of thousands of Russians leaving Russia. Professional people, actors, celebrities and many others, the cream of the society.
I don't know if that is a good thing or not. Then all that is left is the hardcore...
I don't blame them though.
I read an article earlier that showed all school kids have to watch a propaganda presentation from the government. Even kids kindergarten age.
Anoon..BB..
Rats leaving a sinking ship springs to mind...
Bloody hope so...🇺🇦🇺🇦
The train from Moscow to Helsinki Finland is loaded with Russians leaving every day. Turkey is another area they are heading to.
Finland has allegedly 'sent feelers' to join NATO. I said allegedly. The Finnish government will not comment on the reports.
Yes, it is a good thing. Russia will be left with the 'numb nuts' and the 'know nothings'.
Hopefully his own.
That would be the best outcome we could hope for. He won't quit. Anyone who takes him out would be killed, either immediately or in a trial in which Putin would be martyrized. The best thing would be for him to retire to his bunker with a revolver.
I would be willing to take one for the Ukraine.
I think many people would.
But to what would they be condemning their families? I would not trust Putin supporters not to take revenge on my loved ones.
As I am completely cut off from my family, they are welcome to them. If 95% of them were on fire, I would not piss on them to put it out.
Anoon Paula..
Well I have paid for a thousand bullets for the Ukraine army...and I don't mind one bit if Putin's name happens to be on one... another thousand will be going over shortly.
Reports here 54 nationalities are now fighting for Ukraine including some Aussies..good luck to them all and happy hunting...
I hope you're not sending the money to an organization ran by Bannon and his cronies. Watch out for the grifters. Remember the worm medicine and the rest of it? Check it out. Carefully.
Anoon...no going through to actual contacts on the ground in Ukraine...so it is going where it is meant to...from Australia with love....🇦🇺🇺🇦
I do not give to any organised charities regardless of who they are...I seek out people in person and give them the money direct...
In some cases comparisons with Hitler are justified.
I call him having a Napoleon complex.
Little man syndrome.
Putin's attempt at justification is like Hitler's justification for taking the Sudentenland.
I am reading "The Road to UnFreedom" by Timothy Snyder (2018)
Ivan Ilyan was an ardent anti Bolshevak who took refuge in Germany and saw Hitler as a
redeemer for a new social order he hoped to export to his Russia.
Where Hitler failed Stalin picked up the pieces.
The problem with redeemers is, that there is no plan for succession.
Sometime after 1991 when Yeltsin officially began taking apart the USSR
Ilyans many political philosophy books were rediscovered by those disillusioned
by the directions the Russian federation was being pulled in.
Putin is a devout disciple of Ilyan, believes he is that redeemer that can lead the world
from russia and once again has no plans for succession.
It's a ponzi scheme.
Most.
So Bosnia could embarrass the Russian military as well?
No one said that, but Russia would have to cross a number of NATO countries to get to Bosnia. Bosnia also fought a brutal war with Serbia (Russia ally) in the 90s. They are much smaller than Ukraine but they would inflict some losses on Russia if NATO didn't destroy them for crossing NATO borders.
Bosnia was part of the old Yugoslavia. In WWII there was the Western Front, the Eastern Front and the Tito Front. The Yugoslavian partisans played hell with the Nazi's.
And that's Putin's game right there. He's indirectly threatening NATO. And he knows that attacks on NATO would lead to WWIII.
It was a joke, like the Russian military.
Yes, in order for Russian military forces to attack Bosnia they would have to essentially attack NATO. It is an empty threat, unless Putin really does want a nuclear war. And that is what would end up happening. NATO would fucking CRUSH the Russian military in short order and Putin would be left with no other defense than his nukes.
I hope he doesn't do something so stupid
A direct attack would be a disaster for Russia, but stirring up trouble in the area like they have been doing along with Serbia is an indirect way.
Eh, I am not too worried. With everything going on I think they would have a much harder time causing trouble there than before they invaded the Ukraine. Putin and the Russian government have lost all credibility on the world stage, everyone knows what they are about these days.
There were 3 or 4 responses to Thrawn's question, one being mine and now they have all disappeared. WTH!!
Yeah, I noticed that too lol.
I only see you and Sandy.
I have seen comments both going away and coming back today. At times there has even been a strange blinking blue gumdrop flashing in my comments...
Weird
Morning...it's the Russians!!!
It's the russians being hacked by Anonymous and other hacktivists, lol
How??? It’s surrounded by NATO. Are they planning on sending warplanes and missiles into NATO airspace? Do they imagine they will be allowed to send warships to the Adriatic? Good luck with that, Comrade! We may not be ready to put in a no-fly zone over Ukraine, but I don’t think we’ll have any qualms about doing that in Hungary or Romania.
There are some really wacky comments coming out of Russians this week.
I do not believe that Russia would try a direct attack on Bosnia but remember Russia along with Serbia has been meddling in the Balkans for years Bosnia fought a brutal war with Serbia in the 90s and the Serbs are allied with the Russians. The Serbs are currently causing a lot of trouble in Bosnia and Kosovo.
Consider this, Serbia is not a part of NATO and what if they invited Russians into Serbia or Bosnia, of course, that would mean they would have to cross NATO airspace but if it was not aggression would NATO stop them?
Bosnia has one of the most complicated political systems in the world. The Bosnians (Muslim) and Croatians (Roman Catholic) want to join NATO, the Serbs (Orthodox Christian) do not and want to join Serbia.
Maybe? Right this minute, All those countries have closed their airspace to all Russian aircraft. Of course Russia hasn’t tried to test that, yet.
I'm aware that the airspace is closed to Russian aircraft. The other side of that is that Serbia still has flights in and out of Russia, They could bring in Russians as they are not a part of NATO or the EU. Air Serbia is flying their Airbus 330 as often as possible. Turkish Air is also flying in and out of Russia and they are a NATO country.
Currently, Air Serbia have 15 flights a week in and out of Russia. If they loaded them up with Russian soldiers what would NATO do, shoot them down?
No but a few Ukranians with stingers stationed around the airport could.
It’s not that much of a next step to prohibit all flights from Russia.
It hasn't been done and who is going to tell Serbia who is not a member of NATO or the EU that they cannot fly to Russia?
Or Turkey for that matter.
Asked and answered, I think. NATO. Don’t forget Turkey is a member.
And my comment is gone.
I have no idea what is going on Thawn.
Weird.
There are some here in the US that would do to us what Russia is doing to Ukraine.
Anybody check out Bannon lately?
I disagree with Biden on this Ukraine thing on this point---only. (No Fly Zone). Should be (All Fly Zone). If the Russians can fly aircraft over Ukraine so can anyone else.
No reason any nation that wishes to protect Ukraine from an invading force can't fly sorties to protect from aircraft attack or search and destroy enemy troop and military concentrations.
I firmly believe if this were initiated tomorrow the Russians would be withdrawing in a matter of days. Hell, maybe hours.
WW3? No way. The Duma nor the military would permit their demise and would, to save themselves, turn Putin and his closest lackeys over to the Hague or take care of THAT themselves.
I will discuss this point with anyone. Have at it.
The Russians have already lost 5 generals and one Flag Naval officer. You know these had pensions. Now they're dead. Putin isn't worth it and they know it. This is a golden opportunity for the West and democracies across the world. I suggest they do not squander it.
Maybe, but can "anyone else" shoot down Russian aircraft (which is what a no - fly zone would entail) without widening the war? No.
Shoot back. End of story. It's time to stop the 'weenie thing'. End this goddamn war.
I stand with what I believe. Putin is one thing. The Russians are quite another. They are not stupid. They are not going to self-emolliate for the biggest grifter in the world. Would you?
The world cannot risk a US -Russia war when they are the two countries with the most nukes. US jets shooting down Russian planes and bombing Russian troops would pose a threat of nuclear war.
Even if it is 1000-1 odds against a nuclear war, it is not worth the risk.
Russian military will not follow any orders for nuclear, chemical or biological weaponry. You really think they're that stupid?
Yes, some of them are that stupid.
Some of them ain't all of them. And the sane will eliminate the insane to save themselves, their country, their family and friends.
Does that mean Putin gets to do anything he wants anywhere he wants if he threatens to use nukes.
In order to have a no-fly zone, the Air Force would have to take out all ground missiles/rockets etc. I'm not opposed to an all-fly zone since it is Ukrainian air space not Russian air space.
From what we have seen of the Russian army and air force against the Ukrainians they would have a huge problem with NATO flying against them.
If they shoot at you----------shoot back. What is wrong with you people? You want to end this thing or not? JFC.