Mali: Talks about NIS underway with both Russian and US side

VISOKE TATRY - Serbian First Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Friday talks about Serbia's Russian majority-owned oil company NIS were underway with both the Russian and the US side and that the Serbian government would do everything in its power to protect the interests of the citizens and the country's energy stability.

Speaking to Tanjug at the GLOBSEC Tatra Summit 2025 in Slovakia, Mali said the talks were not easy.

"Everyone has their own interests. On one hand, the Russian side does not want to sell (its stake in the company) and wants to remain the owner of NIS, while the US side insists on sanctions, or on some kind of a deal being made in between. We will see," Mali said.

He noted that the Serbian government would in no way let the country's energy stability come under threat.

"We will fight for that, and this is not the first challenge we are facing. I am certain we will find a way," he said.

On September 30, the US Department of the Treasury issued a new special license to NIS delaying full implementation of US sanctions and enabling the company to operate without obstructions until no later than October 8.