The European Union (EU) is boosting the size of its peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina after Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik banned state-level institutions in Serb regions, sparking separatist fears.The EU ‘will temporarily increase the size of its force,’ the European Union Force Bosnia Herzegovina, or EUFOR, said in a statement. ‘This is a proactive measure aimed at assisting Bosnia and Herzegovina in the interest of all citizens,’ it said.Local media reports say the EU will add 400 troops to its 1,100-strong force next week, according to (Politico).Operation Althea, as the Bosnia mission is called, ensures the implementation of the peace agreement signed following the 1992-1995 war in the country. Dodik, the head of the Serb-majority region, was convicted of defying that agreement in late February.Russia criticized the one-year jail sentence and six-year ban on political activity handed down by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Feb. 26, calling it ‘politically motivated.’ Moscow convened an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the matter last Tuesday.Dodik has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin multiple times since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, echoing his anti-Western stance claiming Brussels has no business interfering in countries like Ukraine and Bosnia.
