The top international envoy to Bosnia-Herzegovina accused the Serb leader of playing into the hands of Putin, who he says is exploiting the Balkan nation’s ethnic divisions to divert attention from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As European governments have imposed ever-tighter measures to isolate Russia after it invaded Ukraine, Putin has sought to strengthen ties with Serbian allies in the Balkan region. Putin hosted Dodik, himself targeted by US and UK sanctions, three times since the war began in February last year. Meanwhile, S&P affirmed Bosnia’s Serb Republic B rating.