Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced that the United States will impose sanctions on Naftna Industrija Srbije, the Serbian Oil Industry, which is largely owned by the Russian energy company Gazprom Neft.
Speaking to Serbian Radio and Television, Vucic made statements regarding the long-discussed potential US sanctions.
Vucic stated that the US would impose comprehensive sanctions on NIS on January 10 or 13, saying, “The sanctions are not related to Russia’s war efforts or financial situation. I don’t think the US wants to punish Serbia. They want us to be on their side.”
He pointed out two unknowns regarding the sanctions: “Firstly, whether they will affect the entire Russian management or just the shares. Secondly, when these sanctions will be implemented. I have asked them to give us as much time as possible. We’ll see how it goes.”
Vucic also mentioned that he would meet with the new US Secretary of the Treasury, emphasizing his belief that many measures would be lifted once the new US President Donald Trump and his administration take office.
Aleksandar Vucic stated that Serbia has enough oil reserves, assuring citizens that there is no need to worry about “cans” (implying no need for panic buying).
Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, mentioned that two teams have been formed to mitigate the effects of potential sanctions on NIS and to pursue long-term gas negotiations with Russia.
The national press noted that a significant portion of NIS’s management has been under the control of “Gazprom Neft” since 2008.
The US and the European Union announced in 2014 that Gazprom Neft had been placed on the blacklist.
