Serbian FM Expects a Positive Solution for Oil Company NIS

Marko Djuric (BETAPHOTO/Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Belgrade was expecting a positive resolution of the problems faced by oil and gas company Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) over the next few weeks, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said on Dec. 23, adding that the situation would be completely clear by the end of January 2026.
 
Speaking to state public broadcaster RTS, Djuric said that Serbia could not hope that “the great powers will easily stop using Belgrade as a stepping stone in settling accounts among themselves,” but added that Serbia could get ready in terms of reserves.  

However, he did not give any hint of how the NIS issue could be solved. 

For more than two months, NIS has been under the US sanctions, imposed over Russia’s controlling stake in the company, which have caused difficulties in supplying oil derivatives to the Serbian market.

Meanwhile, experts fear that possible nationalization of the company, majority-owned by Russia, could jeopardize Belgrade’s relations with Moscow, as well as deliveries of the Russian gas, provided at a favorable price, which is crucial for district heating and the Serbian economy.