Milicevic: Solution for NIS to be sought in talks with partners - Russia and USA

The Minister without portfolio in charge of coordinating activities and measures in the field of relations with the diaspora, Djordje Milicevic, said that a solution regarding the US sanctions on NIS would be sought in talks with partners and pointed out that in that case, both Russia and the USA were partners.

– You can neither steal nor take away, it is not constitutional. A lot will still happen by the end of the year, but it is important that we maintain a principled position and talk to both sides. The solution is in talks with partners, and the USA and Russia are partners – said Milicevic.

New map of great power relations

When asked whether, for the minister in the Serbian government, the bigger problem was gas or the fate of the refinery in Pancevo from January 1, 2026, Milicevic emphasized that there was no smaller or bigger problem, but that everything related to it was a challenge.

He emphasizes that he supports the thesis that we have pursued a wise policy.

– What would you like - to seize what Russia has bought, that is unconstitutional. President Aleksandar Vucic has also spoken with our partners from Russia, and he has a proposal that Serbia buys and returns it when the sanctions are lifted, we will see what the response from Russia is – said Milicevic.

As he stated, the meeting with partners from Hungary is important for him in a situation where there is a European decision that from 2028 no one will be able to import from Russia.

Importance of geopolitics

For this reason, the conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and representatives of MOL is important.

– President Vucic was clear about us having enough energy sources until the end of the year, and, although he is not normally optimistic, it seems to me that I see a dose of optimism that what is a challenge today will be resolved at the beginning of next year – said Milicevic.

As he said, a new map is currently being drawn and “one of the most important geopolitical games” is being played out between Russia, the USA and China.

– These countries define their interests and needs and that is what President Vucic said about Serbia being in a new world. Trump and Putin will easily reach an agreement because they are big, big people always reach an agreement easily, and we, the small ones, have to take care of our interests. Geopolitical developments are also reflected in Serbia, everything concerns us, everything comes to us and that is why it is important that in these circumstances we have energy stability and economic stability – said Milicevic.

According to him, we currently have uncertainty, but also energy stability.

Vlada Republike Srbije

NIS a.d. Novi Sad

Government of Serbia

Naftna industrija Srbije

NIS

Đorđe Milićević

energy

negotiations

big powers