Vučić: We are one step closer to solving energy problems

2025-12-20 17:51:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Vu?i?: We are one step closer to solving energy problems

Serbian President Aleksandar Vu?i? announced on December 20 via social media that "long and important talks regarding Serbia's energy stability" had taken place and that he believes they are "one step closer to resolving the extremely complicated situation."

He also said that sufficient quantities of diesel, kerosene, fuel oil and gasoline have been secured, at least until January 15.

"We have had important conversations with foreigners and next week we expect various initiatives, requests and pleas addressed to OFAC [the US Office of Foreign Assets Control that has imposed sanctions on NIS], in the hope that we will receive an operating license ," Vu?i? said.

In a video message, he added that talks are continuing, while imports of oil derivatives are accelerating. The Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS), Serbia's largest oil company, has been under US sanctions since early October because its majority ownership is Russian.

The United States insists on the removal of Russian companies from ownership of NIS, where they currently own 56.2 percent of the shares.

The refinery in Pancevo was closed in early December, while official Belgrade claims that talks are underway with Moscow about a change of ownership.

Vu?i? stated on December 16 that the Russian side and a large company are negotiating for NIS, but that Belgrade is not participating in these talks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on December 19 that Russia “has ideas” about how and in what direction the resolution of the NIS issue could go and that such a dialogue with Serbia is underway. The aim of the sanctions against NIS is to prevent Russia from continuing to finance the invasion of Ukraine. /REL