Information about Russia's reaction when Serbia wants to buy NIS was revealed by Director Srbijagas Dusan Bajatovic.
Srbijagas is a Serbian state-owned company specializing in gas transportation, distribution, storage and trading.
"The Russian people don't want to accept what we want. We want to buy NIS, but they say the company doesn't sell it," he said.
According to Srbijagas, the NIS is currently operating smoothly despite the possibility of being sanctioned by the US.
Mr. Bajatovic pointed out that in order for the NIS to completely escape the US sanctions list, a solution that would be accepted by both Washington and Moscow is needed.
Although the NIS's ownership structure remains the same, there have been important changes in the management system. For the first time, a senior Serbian official has joined the NIS management team.
According to Mr. Bajatovic, this is "a good step for both sides", but the final decision still belongs to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the US Treasury Department.
Mrbijagas said that if it is really necessary, the NIS can ensure uninterrupted supply for the domestic market for at least six to eight months.
On January 10, 2025, the US Treasury Department added Gazprom Neft, head of Gazprom Neft Alexander Dyukov, and more than 20 subsidiaries, including NIS, to the sanctions list.
Naftna Industrija Srbije is one of the largest vertical integrated energy systems in Southeast Europe. The company's main shareholders are Gazprom Neft (44.85%), Gazprom (11.3%) and the Serbian state (29.87%).
On July 28, the Serbian Energy Ministry announced that Belgrade had reached an agreement to postpone US sanctions on NIS for another 30 days. This is the fifth time the US has postponed sanctions against the company.
