Vucic: We Did Not Receive a Positive Decision from the U.S. Regarding NIS

He addressed the public after a meeting with teams responsible for the country’s energy stability and security.

"We expected to receive a license from the U.S. government to continue supplying our refinery with oil, but we did not receive a positive decision. I am disappointed and surprised, because I don’t see what they gained from this. I’m trying to look at and analyze this without emotions, and I admit I haven’t understood why they decided this way. I will not understand exactly how they approached this case, but we must accept it as a fact", Vucic said.

He added that it is clear that the Russians do not want to sell, and that the issue is not money, but politics.

"We are dealing with a lot of problems because of this, just as the Americans are not interested in our position. For now, only Serbia is suffering, and we will see what comes next", he added.

Foto: Tanjug/Dejan Živančević

Vucic emphasized that Croatia’s JANAF did not allow Serbia to import oil.

"They did not believe us when we said we would not pass the oil on to NIS, even though we offered monitoring. They say that not only is NIS under sanctions, but Serbia as a whole", the Serbian president stated.

Today is the 54th day since the sanctions were imposed, and, as Vucic noted, "citizens have not noticed any supply problems".

"This shows how serious the state is, even though we will face the consequences. Minister Djedovic Handanovic will say today that we do not have a license to continue refinery operations, and we have already granted approval to halt operations", Vucic added.

Financial Transactions

Vucic said that the state will, at its own risk, ensure financial transaction services for the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS) until the end of the week.

He said that it was agreed today that financial transactions would be enabled until the end of the week - even under the risk that the central bank (NBS) and commercial banks might themselves come under sanctions.

"So, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - there will be financial transactions. NIS has enough time to pay employee wages, enough time to pay all suppliers, and enough time to prepare its employees for whatever follows. After that, we will measure things day by day", Vucic said.

"Reserves Are Sufficient, Citizens Will Be Informed Every Two Days"

"When NIS exhausts its reserves, we as a state cannot give ours - because at that moment Serbia would fall under American sanctions. We can provide derivatives to everyone except NIS. We will have sufficient fuel reserves until the end of January, unless NIS finalizes a contract with a third party by then, whoever that may be. So, we have enough fuel, but citizens will have to go to non-NIS gas stations", Vucic said.

Foto: Tanjug/Dejan Živančević

He pointed out that the entire country is under the pressure of possible sanctions.

"We have taken risks so far, but we are cautious about the entire payment sector. Another 29,000 tons of diesel have been ordered, 38,000 tons of gasoline, so there are no problems with the supply of oil derivatives. We have over 200,000 tons of diesel in reserves - no issues until the end of January; consumption can continue as needed", the president said.

Regarding gasoline, "we have more than enough in mandatory reserves, because gasoline is used less than diesel".

He said that in this situation, meetings regarding the supply of oil derivatives will be held daily, and citizens will be informed every two days.

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