Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić called on the United States on Tuesday to grant a license allowing the state-controlled Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) to continue operations, amid a prolonged disruption of crude oil supplies from Croatia.
Speaking at a pre-election rally for the Serbian Progressive Party ahead of local elections on Nov. 30, Vučić said he had “pleaded” with the United States previously but now formally “demands” the license to maintain energy supplies in Serbia.
“It has been 48 days since any oil has entered Serbia via the Croatian pipeline. Our friends in Croatia immediately cut off the flow on day one, but we have managed to maintain fuel availability at all stations,” Vučić said.
Vučić emphasized that Serbia is giving Russia, the majority owner of NIS through Gazprom Neft, a 50-day window to resolve ownership issues before Serbia considers taking direct control of the company.
“During this crisis, we have acted responsibly. We have not disrupted our own policies, panicked, or damaged friendships with those imposing sanctions, nor with those from whom we could have seized assets,” he said.
NIS, Serbia’s largest oil refining company, faces pressure due to international sanctions imposed on Russian energy entities following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. U.S. and EU measures require special licenses for transactions with Russian state-owned companies. Without such a license, Serbia risks shortages in crude oil supplies and disruptions to domestic fuel distribution.
The situation has been compounded by Croatia’s early October decision to suspend oil deliveries through the JANAF pipeline in compliance with EU sanctions, forcing Serbia to rely on alternative, more expensive routes and seek political support from Washington to secure an exemption.