Vučić on NIS: "What I will offer the Americans, I believe they cannot refuse"

President Aleksandar Vučić told citizens that they should not worry about the situation regarding the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), and that on Sunday, as he said, he will issue a formal statement. He added that he expects to address the public on Sunday or Monday.

He expressed confidence that matters concerning NIS will be resolved, noting—while appearing on Informer—that the United States has already received letters from eminent companies and is negotiating with them about a transfer of ownership.

“I am certain that America will accept my formal statement and that they will accommodate us,” Vučić said.

He added that he keeps checking his phone because he is expecting more updates.

“I believe that on Monday at the latest, maybe even Sunday, I will officially address the public. I will explain everything—what has happened and where things stand. I am worried, but I don’t think you should be. I am worried not because nothing is happening—things are happening—but I am not sure that OFAC will accept everything so easily. What I am going to offer the Americans, and I believe they cannot refuse it if they want to show a partnership toward Serbia,” Vučić said.

He stressed that it is only a matter of time before an agreement is reached, but that for Serbia it is crucial that the refinery’s operations are not halted.

“That would be bad. We have reserves, and we are working in a way that even if the refinery stops operating, people won’t have to worry about fuel. People know that I have managed to secure that, even if the refinery shuts down,” Vučić said.

Speaking about the global and regional situation regarding energy stability, Vučić said that the chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina convened representatives of all levels of government in Sarajevo on Thursday and informed them about the next steps regarding the gas interconnection.

“He told them: ‘Since you’ve been arguing and were never able to agree on the gas interconnection, we’re going with the southern interconnection.’ But the Americans will control it 100 percent—the Americans are the owners—and it will be American gas,” Vučić stated.

He assessed that the United States is now fighting for its economic interests more aggressively than ever.

“America cut off—two days ago, when Zelensky refused to hold talks with Witkoff and his team—deliveries of Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine. They said, ‘Stop, this is intended for American LNG arriving in Alexandroupolis, and from there we will supply Ukraine.’” Vučić said.

He believes that the U.S. is tightening the valve for everyone and bringing in American companies, which would be legitimate, he added, if it weren’t “somewhat forceful.”

“If we had access to the sea, we could respond differently—but we don’t have access to the sea, and because of Kosovo we don’t have access to the sea. That’s why Montenegro was separated from Serbia. That’s why Pašić wasn’t given access to the sea after World War I—they gave us Djakovica instead—even though Pašić fought with all his strength to secure a route to the coast. You need the sea even when you want to import weapons—you need one kilometer of coastline so you can pass through international waters, so no one can stop you, so you can dock and have the weapons delivered,” Vučić explained.

The Serbian president stressed that the most interesting and important matter for Serbia now is what will happen with frozen Russian assets in Europe. He added that there is a possibility this could lead to a major conflict between Europe and Russia.

“In that case, the Americans stay out of the conflict in the future, and Europeans can no longer count on that kind of alliance with the U.S. But then the conflict between Russia and Europe comes much closer to us. That is why I do not want to participate in seizing someone else’s property,” Vučić concluded.