Srbijagas General Director Dušan Bajatović spoke about the recent postponement of US sanctions on the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS), assuring that the company continues to operate without any issues.
Bajatović emphasized the need to find a solution acceptable to both Russian and American parties to fully suspend the potential sanctions.
“The Russians are not fully aligned with our wishes either. We would like to buy NIS, but they say it’s not for sale,” Bajatović told Tanjug.
He noted changes within the company’s management, highlighting that, for the first time, a high-ranking Serbian manager has been appointed. While uncertain if this will satisfy the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), he views it as a positive step from both the Russian and Serbian sides.
“These sanctions are political, aimed at punishing Russia, but citizens need not worry about NIS’s operations in the near future,” he said.
Bajatović acknowledged that the postponement of sanctions is unlikely to extend beyond one month due to ongoing pressure. “Sanctions bring constant challenges—that’s their purpose,” he added. This situation creates uncertainty both for NIS employees and the Serbian state.
He expects further extensions of the sanctions delay and reassured that all fuel tanks are fully stocked. In case of any disruption, the company could maintain market supply for six to eight months without interruption.
The US Treasury Department recently issued its fifth special license from OFAC, delaying full sanctions against NIS until at least August 27.
Earlier this year, on January 10, the US imposed sanctions on Russian energy firms Surgutneft and Gazpromneft and their subsidiaries to reduce Moscow’s energy revenue, which funds the war in Ukraine.
