Public administration expert Mihajlo Rabrenović commented on the recent US sanctions against Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), emphasizing that the Serbian government is trying to protect the interests of its citizens and economy while avoiding negative impacts on the country’s international image.
Rabrenović noted that there is agreement between the previous Biden administration and the current Trump administration regarding the sanctions, which target NIS due to its majority Russian ownership. He highlighted that the sanctions will not be lifted until Russian capital exits NIS.
Regarding domestic solutions, Rabrenović mentioned the Dina national payment card, which allows fuel purchases at NIS stations despite restrictions, and noted ongoing talks between Serbian authorities and the US administration to potentially delay the enforcement of these sanctions.
He stressed that Russia aims to postpone the issue until broader negotiations between the US and Russian presidents, while the US seeks to remove Russian influence from NIS, which represents both economic and geopolitical leverage.
Rabrenović pointed out that Serbia must maintain friendly relations with major powers and that any resolution will require agreement between sanctioning authorities and affected parties. He described the original sale of NIS to Russia as a bilateral agreement ratified by parliaments, which limits Serbia’s strategic flexibility because the country does not hold majority ownership and remains dependent on Russian gas and veto power at the UN Security Council.
He concluded that Serbia is constrained in making decisions solely in its national interest and must navigate the consequences of historical agreements while trying to protect its economy and citizens.
