### U.S. Sanctions Prompt Urgent Ownership Changes in Serbia's NIS Oil Company The United States has imposed a three-month deadline on Serbia to divest Russian ownership from its state-owned oil company, Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS). This ultimatum comes amid escalating sanctions that threaten Serbia's energy security, particularly as winter approaches. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has indicated that the government is prepared to intervene and purchase the Russian stake if necessary, highlighting the urgency of the situation as the country races to avoid a state takeover of the company [https://n1info.rs/english/news/serbia-races-to-avoid-state-takeover-of-oil-company-as-us-sanctions-pressure-mounts][https://serbia-energy.eu/us-gives-serbia-three-months-to-remove-russian-ownership-from-nis]. ### Breakdown of the Current Situation and Responses 1. **U.S. Sanctions and Deadline**: The U.S. has mandated that Serbia must remove Russian ownership from NIS within three months to alleviate sanctions affecting the company [https://serbia-energy.eu/us-gives-serbia-three-months-to-remove-russian-ownership-from-nis]. 2. **Government Response**: An emergency government meeting was convened, attended by President Vučić and directors of state-owned enterprises, to strategize on the divestment of Russian interests in NIS [https://www.bgnes.com/politics/serbia-holds-emergency-government-meeting-over-u-s-sanctions-on-nis]. 3. **Potential Government Buyout**: President Vučić has stated that the Serbian government is ready to buy out the Russian stake in NIS if ongoing negotiations do not yield a new owner [https://n1info.rs/english/news/serbia-races-to-avoid-state-takeover-of-oil-company-as-us-sanctions-pressure-mounts]. 4. **Russian Willingness to Divest**: Reports indicate that Russian stakeholders are negotiating to relinquish control of NIS, signaling a potential shift in ownership dynamics as they seek to comply with U.S. sanctions [https://www.intellinews.com/russia-signals-readiness-to-give-up-control-of-serbia-s-nis-amid-us-sanctions-411069][https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/11/13/russian-stakeholders-in-serbian-oil-company-are-negotiating-exit-as-u-s-sanctions-take-effect-minister-says]. 5. **Impact on Energy Security**: The urgency of the situation is compounded by the approaching winter, which raises concerns about fuel supplies in Serbia, as NIS is responsible for a significant portion of the country's energy needs [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/3699140-serbia-rushes-to-secure-oil-firm-amid-sanctions]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Ownership Structure**: NIS is primarily owned by Russian interests, which supply nearly 80% of Serbia's energy needs, making the divestment critical for national energy security [https://turkiyetoday.com/region/russia-begins-talks-to-exit-serbian-oil-giant-nis-amid-us-sanctions-3209803]. - **Government Actions**: The Serbian government has secured a three-month waiver from U.S. sanctions, allowing time to find a new buyer for the Russian stake in NIS [https://caliber.az/en/post/serbia-wins-short-term-waiver-on-russian-oil-sanctions]. ### Conclusion: Navigating a Critical Energy Transition In summary, Serbia is at a pivotal moment as it navigates the complexities of U.S. sanctions against Russian ownership of NIS. The following points encapsulate the current landscape: 1. **Urgent Deadline**: Serbia has three months to divest Russian ownership from NIS to avoid sanctions [https://serbia-energy.eu/us-gives-serbia-three-months-to-remove-russian-ownership-from-nis]. 2. **Government Preparedness**: The Serbian government is ready to intervene and potentially buy out the Russian stake if necessary [https://n1info.rs/english/news/serbia-races-to-avoid-state-takeover-of-oil-company-as-us-sanctions-pressure-mounts]. 3. **Russian Negotiations**: Russian stakeholders are reportedly willing to divest control of NIS, indicating a shift in ownership dynamics [https://www.intellinews.com/russia-signals-readiness-to-give-up-control-of-serbia-s-nis-amid-us-sanctions-411069]. 4. **Energy Security Concerns**: The situation is critical as NIS plays a vital role in Serbia's energy supply, especially with winter approaching [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/3699140-serbia-rushes-to-secure-oil-firm-amid-sanctions]. This scenario underscores the intricate balance Serbia must maintain between international pressures and its national energy needs.