The US has postponed sanctions against the Serbian oil company (NIS) for the sixth time, imposed because of Russia's stake in the company. This was announced by Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Jedovic Handanovic.

The sanctions were introduced on January 10 because of the so-called "secondary risk" associated with Gazprom Neft, which is under Western sanctions because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The application of the measures has already been postponed until September 26.

Jedovic Handanovic stressed that thanks to these successive postponements, Serbia has managed to maintain its energy security. She stated that the ultimate goal is to remove the Serbian oil company (NIS) from the sanctions list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury.

The minister expressed hope that the ongoing high-level talks between the US and Russia could lead to progress on the overall package of US sanctions against Russian companies, which could reduce the uncertainty surrounding NIS.

Currently, Gazprom Neft holds about 44.9% of the Serbian oil company (NIS), the Serbian state owns 29.9%, and Gazprom owns about 11%. The remaining shares are owned by smaller shareholders. | BGNES