Dodik arrives in Hungary: Orbán meets controversial Bosnian Serb leader with arrest warrant

Orbán Dodik meeting
Dodik and Orbán on 5 June 2025. Photo: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Kommunikációs Főosztály/Benko Vivien Cher

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hosted Milorad Dodik, the president of the Republika Srpska (the Serb entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina) in Budapest on Thursday, despite the fact that Dodik is currently facing an arrest warrant in his home country.

The meeting was confirmed by Hungary’s Prime Minister’s Office and followed Dodik’s earlier announcement that he would discuss strategic projects in agriculture and energy with Orbán. A photo of the two politicians was also shared on Orbán’s X (formerly Twitter) profile, though not yet published on his official Facebook page.

Hungary has been deepening its economic cooperation with Republika Srpska in recent years. According to the official statement, the leaders reviewed the progress of ongoing bilateral projects in energy, agriculture, and the broader economy. Orbán emphasised that “the stability of Republika Srpska is key to preserving peace and security in the entire Western Balkans.”

The visit sparked controversy, as Dodik was sentenced earlier this year to a one-year prison term by a Bosnian court for refusing to acknowledge the authority of the international high representative, Christian Schmidt, and for signing a law rejecting the powers of that office. In late March, Bosnia’s border police issued a warrant for his arrest.

However, Interpol declined to act on Bosnia’s request for a global arrest warrant, Telex wrote. Dodik later thanked Orbán for his support amid the legal proceedings. In April, an attempt to arrest him was thwarted by Republika Srpska police.

Dodik, who has previously referred to Orbán as a leader of a “new world order,” defended his visit by stating that Republika Srpska wants to build its economy with those “who understand and respect us.”

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