A resolution regarding Serbia’s Oil Industry (NIS) is expected by the end of this week or early next week, with Washington’s only condition for lifting sanctions being that Russia must hold zero ownership in the company, Blic Biznis reported, citing diplomatic sources.
“Washington is waiting for Serbia’s plan regarding NIS. Once it’s submitted, the next steps will be considered. If there were another viable option, it would have already been implemented. The question is why Russia refuses to give up its ownership — the answer is simple: it doesn’t want to lose dominance over Serbia’s energy sector,” the diplomatic source stated.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said two days ago that he expects answers regarding the NIS issue by the end of this week or next.
“I will speak with Russian, American, and European partners to find the best solution for Serbia concerning the current energy situation. Serbia will make its own decisions and protect its citizens if we don’t reach a resolution this week,” Vučić said.
The Blic source reiterated that the sanctions against NIS are not directed at Serbia or the Serbian people, but are intended to exert financial pressure on Russia to help end the war in Ukraine.
“Sometimes the last option you want to implement ends up being the one you must take,” the source added, noting that removing a company from the sanctions list could take months due to a complex procedural process.
Vučić said yesterday that he hopes the United States will not impose secondary sanctions on Serbian financial institutions over their dealings with NIS at least until mid-December, giving Serbia time to work on resolving the issue.
