Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that the US sanctions on Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), which came into effect today, will impact all Serbian citizens, but emphasized that the state has secured energy supplies. He noted that NIS can operate without new oil imports until November 1.
“The sanctions on NIS were expected, but they are very bad news for everyone, even though our oil reserves are full,” Vučić said in an extraordinary public address. He added that the sanctions are not directed at any government officials, but their effects will be felt politically, economically, and socially. Vučić confirmed ongoing discussions with Russian and American officials to mitigate the situation.
On Kosovo, Vučić urged Serbs to participate in upcoming local elections and vote for the Srpska Lista, describing it as a responsible list representing the interests of the people independently of the Kosovo government or foreign embassies.
He also highlighted security concerns, citing over 700 unprocessed ethnic attacks against Serbs and Serbian Orthodox Church sites since February 2021, including attacks on children, arbitrary arrests of 157 Serbs, and incidents involving police shootings, including an 11-year-old child. Vučić further criticized the illegal expropriation of property, closure of Serbian institutions, and manipulation of the ethnic composition in Serbian municipalities during this period.
