Instrumentalizacja narracji o wojnie w Ukrainie w wypowiedziach elit politycznych Bośni i Hercegowiny
The instrumentalization of narratives about the war in Ukraine in the statements of Bosnia and Herzegovina's political elites

Summary/Abstract: The article analyzes the perception of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict by political elites in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), paying particular attention to the differences in the narratives of the three constituent ethnic groups: Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs. The author hypothesizes that the war in Ukraine is being used instrumentally by these groups to reinforce their own nationalist political projects. The main research questions concern the differences in these narratives, their role in deepening ethnic divisions in BiH, and the potential for increased Russian influence in the region. The analysis focuses on political positions toward the conflict, drawing from media discourse studies conducted on selected news portals, as well as content published by leading Bosnian politicians on social media. The article is based on an interdisciplinary methodology, combining media and social media analysis with qualitative interviews conducted among representatives of the three ethnic groups. Notably, analyzing how the conflict in Ukraine is perceived by politicians in BiH may be key to understanding the broader political context of the region. In countries like BiH, where domestic politics are deeply divided along ethnic and historical lines, assessing Russian influence may offer valuable insights into the country's future -- and, most importantly, its stability.

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