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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Comprehensive plan to be drafted in response to announced sanctions on NIS

Belgrade, 4 January 2025

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić announced today, during a government session that began with a moment of silence for the tragedy in Cetinje, Montenegro, that the United States will officially unveil a decision before 15 January to introduce sanctions on oil company Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS), which could disrupt oil supplies and have a direct impact on the Serbian economy.

Vučić cautioned that the sanctions would lead to additional challenges, particularly for the oil refinery in Pančevo and petrochemical producer Petrohemija based in the same city, as well as other major companies in Serbia, which could place the country in a difficult position.

In response, the President proposed the formation of two government teams under the coordination of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, announcing plans to discuss NIS, as well as a natural gas arrangement that needs to be agreed, with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in late January.

Vučić emphasised that NIS has to be discussed with the Russian side, noting that this is a serious issue for Serbia, particularly in the current geopolitical context, that will result in countless other problems.

He also warned that Serbia will come under increased pressure concerning Kosovo and Metohija given that Albin Kurti perceives the Serb List as his greatest adversary and does not want it to stand in elections.

Vučić added that it is important to deal with the issue of Kosovo and Metohija far more than was the case in previous months.

Furthermore, the President asked for a bill on loans for young people to be included in the agenda of the National Assembly’s next session.

At Vučić’s suggestion, the government declared Sunday, 5 January, a Day of Mourning in Serbia to honour the victims of the Cetinje tragedy, where 12 individuals were murdered.

Vučić remarked that what happened in Montenegro serves as an additional cautionary lesson, and he called for the Ministry of the Interior and the Security Intelligence Agency to continue monitoring individuals of security interest, expedite the confiscation of illegal weapons and intensify checks on legally owned firearms.

Photos by: Slobodan Miljević