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Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska, and Dragan Čović, president of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH), are using their political influence to postpone Bosnia and Herzegovina's energy rapprochement with the West. The two politicians have shown increasing cooperation, particularly regarding the South Gas Interconnection project, which aims to connect Bosnia to Croatia's gas network and LNG terminal.

Despite U.S. pressure for energy diversification, HDZ BiH has expressed doubts about the management of BH-Gas, which observers see as a deliberate stalling tactic benefiting Russian interests. Their partnership was highlighted by a meeting on October 13, where both affirmed their cooperation, with Dodik anticipating continued collaboration beyond the 2026 elections. This alliance has resulted in legislative blockages, hindering Bosnia's EU integration efforts, raising concerns about their alignment with Russian geopolitical strategies.