Serbia’s Finance Minister Siniša Mali stated that discussions are ongoing with both Russian and U.S. representatives to find a solution regarding the U.S. sanctions on the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS).
“We are talking with Russian and American officials to find a solution that is valid for the citizens of Serbia,” Mali told RTS. He emphasized that Serbia did not provoke the sanctions and stressed the importance of maintaining energy independence and ensuring fuel availability.
Mali referenced recent talks between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as a meeting with the Russian ambassador to Serbia.
On September 28, NIS submitted a new request to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for a special license to postpone full enforcement of the sanctions, allowing the company to continue its operational activities without disruption. The company also submitted a request to be removed from the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, noting that this is a long and complex process, with the initial request submitted on March 14.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on NIS in January due to Russian ownership stakes. The sanctions have been postponed six times so far, most recently until October 1, but President Vučić announced that the deadline has been extended to October 8 or 9.
