This inclination toward Russia and the embrace of U.S. figures like Donald Trump illustrate an underlying dissatisfaction with the American-led order among the predominantly ethnic Serb population in the region. According to Bozic, there is a clear distinction when it comes to local preferences; a café named after President Biden or Ukrainian President Zelensky would not have the same consumer appeal. This sentiment is rooted in the historical context: the violence and ethnic cleansing during the Balkan wars of the early 1990s, which left a legacy of ethnonationalism and skepticism toward foreign influences, particularly those from the West.

As America navigates its global stance amidst the tensions of the Ukraine invasion, the reflections from places like Banja Luka reveal a complex landscape where views on leadership and international relations can shift dramatically based on local experiences and historical narratives.