Serbia’s president aims to prioritize his nation’s energy security in upcoming discussions.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced upcoming discussions with the U.S. and Russia to address potential American sanctions against Serbia’s primary oil and gas company, Naftne Industrije Srbije (NIS), which is largely owned by Russia’s Gazprom. Vucic stated that the U.S. plans to impose sanctions on NIS, effective potentially as early as January 1, 2025, confirming that Belgrade has received this information from Washington. He further mentioned discussing this matter with Serbia’s national security service, the BIA.
In a subsequent video address, Vucic reaffirmed the planned sanctions and outlined Serbia’s plan to engage in negotiations with the U.S., Russia, and other relevant parties, beginning as soon as Monday. He emphasized that these talks are crucial for safeguarding Serbian energy security.
Vucic highlighted the importance of mitigating the impact of any sanctions on Serbian citizens’ daily lives and businesses. While the U.S. hasn’t officially confirmed the planned sanctions, Vucic previously warned that such measures could severely impact Serbia, potentially leaving the country without oil during winter. He suggested that these potential sanctions are part of broader geopolitical pressure on Russia.
Despite Serbia’s neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, its strong economic ties with Russia have led to its refusal to join sanctions against Russia, a decision that has faced pressure from the U.S. and the EU. Vucic has openly criticized Western nations’ bans on Russian energy, suggesting they may eventually need to seek renewed energy supplies from Russia.