Djedovic: State to do Everything to Preserve Fuel and Energy Stability

Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic promised on Dec. 8 that the state would do everything to preserve the stability of fuel supply and energy stability after the U.S. administration introduced sanctions against the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS), the country’s main fuel supplier, due to Russia’s majority stake in the petroleum corporation.

Djedovic told reporters that the situation in the oil sector was becoming increasingly complex, that problems were piling up, specifying that 51 locations in Serbia had no alternative for fuel supply, because only the NIS had a network of petrol stations in those areas.

"I’d like to recall that today is the 60th day since the U.S. sanctions against NIS came into force, blocking the inflow of oil to the refinery in Pancevo. Yet, the market has not felt any of that,  because we prepared well. The state is doing everything, all institutions are engaged and will continue to work in the same way so that the stable supply is secured," she said after a meeting President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic had held with the teams responsible for the energy stability and security of the country.

The Minister said that the state would continue to increase its fuel reserves, recalling that this has been done over the past three years, and that these capacities have increased by 60 percent for all oil derivatives.

In December and January the delivery of 49000 tons of diesel is expected, as well as 38000 tons of gasoline. According to the Minister, there is enough fuel for the entire heating season.

Serbia has done everything that the Russian partners requested and has allowed them to negotiate the sale of their share in the NIS with whoever they want, Djedovic said, adding that Serbia will, if necessary, make difficult decisions in order to protect its energy security.

With the latest license, the Office for Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury of the United States gave the Oil Industry of Serbia until Feb. 13, 2026 to change its ownership structure.