Botsan-Kharchenko: "We will not cut off gas to Serbia, and the price will be the most favorable"

He specified that it is a “highest-level” agreement, which is long-term.

"We consider the gas sector to be one of the most important areas in our diverse cooperation with Serbia. It concerns every person, family, and household in Serbia, which also gives it a humanitarian dimension. When such a dimension exists, we approach the issue even more seriously. In Russia, it is well understood that Serbia’s economic development is largely linked to the gas sector and President Vučić’s plans to continue it at an accelerated pace," Botsan-Kharchenko told today’s edition of Večernje novosti.

He added that Russia wants Serbia to have stable gas supply at the best possible price, noting that he is convinced the decision to have the gas arrangement last until New Year was made for commercial and technical reasons.

Regarding U.S. sanctions on the NIS (Naftna Industrija Srbije), Botsan-Kharchenko said Russia understands the problem and is aware of its responsibility as the owner of the company through Gazprom.

"President Vučić had a meeting on Monday with Gazprom Neft CEO Aleksandr Dyukov; also the First Deputy Minister of Energy of Russia, Pavel Sorokin was present. They discussed everything thoroughly. This meeting confirms that on our side there is understanding that this is a very serious problem," Botsan-Kharchenko noted.

He pointed out that Russians are in constant contact with NIS management and have prepared everything necessary.

He emphasized that any discussions about how the company will navigate this situation will remain within the framework of the 2008 cooperation agreement in the oil and gas sector between the governments of Russia and Serbia.

He assessed that the U.S. sanctions on NIS are a blow against Serbia, probably because our country did not impose sanctions on Russia.

"I was surprised by how the media interpret the issue of U.S. sanctions on NIS, as the discussion is mostly about what Russia will do and how it will affect relations between our two countries. As if the U.S. does not exist — it is the U.S. that imposed sanctions on a company that is a pillar of the Serbian economy, provides energy for the country and its people, and which NATO nearly destroyed during the 1999 aggression," said the Russian ambassador.