MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin prevented Russia from breaking apart as he came to power more than two decades ago, President Milorad Dodik of Republika Srpska (one of the two constituent entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina) said in an exclusive interview with TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov.
"I am afraid that if Putin had not appeared to run society, <...> Russia would have broken up into five to six states which could be manipulated easily, which would led to an interethnic conflict," he said.
The leader of Republika Srpska described Putin as "a real man and a true statesman and president, a person who loves his country and his people." Dodik said he had had several meetings with Putin, and never has the Russian leader made any inappropriate demands to the Serb people. "He is a person who dedicates himself to people, to good people. As for enemies, they should always be treated hostile," he concluded.