In response to international condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sasa Bozic has opened the Putin Café in Banja Luka, Bosnia, featuring a mannequin of the Russian president. Following this venture, Bozic plans to launch a motel and restaurant complex named “Trump and Putin’s Place” this summer, which he describes as a “marketing trick” rather than a political statement.
Banja Luka, the capital of Republika Srpska, a Serb-controlled region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has a historical context marked by the ethnic cleansing during the Balkan wars of the early 1990s. Many in the region have developed a favorable view of Russia, seeing it as a protector against what they perceive as a hostile American-led world order.
Bozic indicated that a café named after President Biden or an establishment honoring President Zelensky would not be successful in this environment, as the local sentiment leans towards support for Trump and Putin.
Former prime minister of Bosnia’s Serb enclave, Mladen Ivanic, expressed a desire for the Trump administration to be more sympathetic to Serb concerns, despite his opposition to the region's ethnonationalist leadership. He noted a potential for conflict arising from the changes in U.S. foreign policy under Trump.
Former leaders from Eastern Europe have criticized Trump's treatment of Zelensky, with Vytautas Landsbergis of Lithuania calling it a betrayal, and Lech Walesa of Poland expressing horror at the behavior displayed in Washington.
In Republika Srpska, leader Milorad Dodik has capitalized on the current political climate, viewing Trump's actions as a validation of his own stance against the central government in Sarajevo. Dodik has sought support from Trump and recently hosted Rudolph W. Giuliani, despite facing legal challenges related to his governance.
Political analysts suggest that while a return to armed conflict in Bosnia is unlikely, the region may experience increased instability due to external influences from powers such as Russia, China, and Turkey, particularly if U.S. support for multilateralism diminishes.
Concerns have been raised about the erosion of norms that maintain Bosnia's unity, with Dodik vowing to target those he perceives as traitors. The political atmosphere has become increasingly aggressive, reminiscent of the narratives prevalent during the 1990s, although current conditions lack the same level of armed conflict.
Local political figures, including opposition mayor Drasko Stanivukovic, express a desire for Trump’s support to help protect ethnic Serb identity and territory, reflecting a broader sentiment in the region that aligns with Trump's policies.