The two leaders discussed concluding a new gas contract by May 31, when the current three-year arrangement that Serbia has with Russia's Gazprom will expire, and "how to solve the NIS issue," Vucic said in a video posted on his Instagram account following a phone call with Putin. He did not elaborate.
The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on NIS on January 10 as part of broader measures against Russia's energy sector over the war in Ukraine, citing its control by Russia's Gazprom Neft. The sanctions were initially set to take effect on February 27 but were later delayed until March 28.
When the sanctions were announced, Gazprom Neft held a 50% stake in NIS, while its parent Gazprom had a 6.15% stake. Since then, Gazprom Neft has transferred a 5.15% stake in NIS to Gazprom, reducing its ownership in the company to 44.85%. Gazprom was not targeted by the sanctions.
Vucic has said earlier that the U.S. wants Russia to completely exit NIS in which Serbia's government is the second largest shareholder with 29.87%.
On Friday, Vucic also said that Moscow supports Serbian authorities amid the students-led protests that have gripped the country since the fatal train station accident in the city of Novi Sad in November.
"President Putin also had a very clear and precise position on this issue. Russia understands and sees well what is happening and will continue to support the legally elected authorities in Serbia," Vucic stated.
Serbia's president also said he will be visiting Moscow on May 9 for the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
(SeeNews, March 7, 2025)