Botsan-Kharchenko: NIS well prepared for sanctions, Russia will not turn its back on Serbia

BELGRADE - Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said on Thursday his embassy was in constant contact with the management of Serbia's Russian-majority owned oil firm NIS, and noted that the company was well prepared for US sanctions and that Russia would not turn its back on Serbia.

It was known that, sooner or later, tensions would escalate and that the US sanctions would enter into force, the ambassador told RT Balkan.

"They (NIS) also have inventories, and the ability to manage. In any case, I think no shortages or upsets should be expected on the market, or when it comes to Serbia's energy security," Botsan-Kharchenko said.

He said there would be further contacts between the Serbian side and NIS and the Russian side and Gazprom, as well as between the governments of the two countries.

"I would not discuss details or what is possible," the ambassador said, adding that the US decision to impose the sanctions had nothing to do with the economy or the energy sector, but was a "completely political decision."

He reiterated that Gazprom was a dependable partner and that the "Russian side has no intent of turning its back on Serbia in this situation."

"As part of our bilateral cooperation, Serbia will have energy security as it has in the past," Botsan-Kharchenko said, adding that contacts would be continued in the coming days and that there "may also be something new."