President Aleksandar Vučić stated after a meeting on the country’s energy stability that Serbia has not yet received a positive decision from the U.S. regarding the license for NIS to continue operations at the Pančevo Refinery. He emphasized that the Ministry of Mining and Energy will inform NIS that, without the license, the refinery may have to cease operations.
Vučić highlighted that Serbia will, at its own risk, ensure payment operations for NIS until the end of the week, allowing the company to pay employees and suppliers despite potential sanctions affecting banks. He assured citizens that fuel supplies, including kerosene for aviation, are secure until at least the end of January.
He also noted that logistical challenges remain, especially regarding cisterne distribution to various storage locations, but the country has sufficient diesel, gasoline, and mazut reserves. Serbia’s strategic reserves include over 204,000 tons of diesel and substantial quantities of gasoline and kerosene.
Regarding gas supplies, Vučić announced that if Serbia does not finalize an agreement with Russia by Friday, negotiations will begin with alternative suppliers starting Monday.
He also mentioned issues with JANAF in Croatia, which blocked the import of oil intended for Serbia’s strategic reserves, emphasizing that this effectively extends the impact of U.S. sanctions beyond NIS.
Vučić reassured citizens that Serbia has almost €4 billion in state accounts, ensuring financial stability. He also highlighted that pensioners will continue to see significant increases in pensions.
On international security, Vučić warned that if NATO conducts preventive strikes on Russia, the Russian response could be severe, potentially involving tactical nuclear weapons. He noted growing nervousness in NATO due to Russian successes in Ukraine and emphasized that in such high-tension situations, compromise becomes unlikely.
Finally, he described the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine as a brotherly war, stressing that Serbia does not intend to intervene.
