U.S. Ambassador: No Decision to Sanction NIS Has Been Made

Christopher Hill (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

United States Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said on Dec. 23 that there have been no announcements that the U.S. will introduce sanctions against NIS, Serbia’s main oil and gas company.

“Ever since the Russians bought NIS, there has been great concern because this is the only oil refinery in Serbia and ever since it has been majority-owned by Russia, people have been worried for years. This concern has only grown due to the fact that Russia continues its barbaric war on Ukraine,” Hill told the RTS public service.

According to him, there is worry that, in Russian hands, NIS is somehow financing the war and such questions are legitimate and should be carefully considered. “We shall see the outcome. I want to assure you that the final decision will in no way affect the Serbian economy. We are very interested in Serbia continuing to have a very successful economy and for the good growth rate it has achieved to continue,” Hill said.

The ambassador, whose term in Serbia hits the 1000-day mark on Dec. 24, went on to say that relations between Belgrade and Washington are good and that a sound platform for their further development has been established. “I believe that it is very important that we understand how we can move forward in the energy sector, which is a key issue for Serbia, since the country’s energy needs will only grow. And I believe we are increasing capacities for talks on strategic issues, not only bilateral ones,” he stated.

On Dec. 13, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced he expected the U.S. to introduce sanctions against NIS “over the next few days,” due to the company being Russian-owned. The majority of NIS shares were bought in by Gazprom Neft in 2008. Both Gazprom Neft and its parent company, Gazprom, are majority-owned by the Russian state.