Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expects a decision on the future of the US-sanctioned company NIS (Neutral Industry of Serbia) in the coming days and hopes for a positive outcome.
„Not a single drop of oil has passed through the Adriatic JANAF pipeline for 68 days and no one has felt the crisis yet. I expect important news in the coming days. I don't think we will have to wait until January 15.“ "I believe that by Monday or Tuesday there will be important news, and I hope it will be good," the head of state said during his address to the nation.
In January 2025, the US Treasury Department added "Gazprom Neft", the company's CEO Alexander Dyukov and Serbia's NIS to the sanctions list. After several delays, the restrictions came into effect on October 9. At an extraordinary government meeting on November 16, Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Sinisa Mali urged President Vučić to consider nationalizing NIS due to growing pressure and threats to the country's economy.
NIS's main production facilities are located in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. Gazprom Neft is the majority shareholder. (44.85% of the shares), Serbia (29.87%) and Intelligence JSC from St. Petersburg, managed by Gazprom Capital (11.3%).
The Serbian Ministry of Energy reported on November 11 that the Russian owners of NIS had notified the US Treasury Department of their readiness to transfer control of the company to a third party. Vucic announced on December 2 that Belgrade had not received a license from Washington to supply oil to NIS. The company later announced the closure of its oil refinery in the Serbian city of Pančevo due to US sanctions and a lack of raw materials. Serbian authorities had previously said they had until January 15 to make a decision on the company's future.