Serbia's Vučić disappointed as Russia offers only short-term gas deal
Photo: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić (Getty Images)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said he is very disappointed by Russia's decision to propose a short-term gas agreement that would last only until the end of the year, Bloomberg reports.
Vučić had tried to secure a three-year contract with Gazprom after two meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin this year. However, after months of negotiations, he received only an offer for a short-term deal.
In an interview with Informer, he suggested this may be linked to US sanctions against the oil refining company Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), controlled by Russia's Gazprom Neft. The restrictions came into force in early October after several temporary exemptions expired.
"We begged the Americans for months and managed to secure eight months," Vučić said.
He added that Serbia has enough reserves for the next three months. He also dismissed speculation that Belgrade might nationalize NIS to bypass sanctions.
"The Americans told me, 'Mr. President, sign it, there will be no sanctions, just tell us that you need time to nationalize your oil industry,'" Vučić said.
He refused that condition, stating that Serbia does not like to seize other people's property.
"I told them, ‘That's unacceptable to me. Our country isn't communist or fascist, and we don't like to seize other people's capital and other people’s property,'" he explained.
Gazprom Neft, the oil division of state-owned Gazprom, owns 56% of NIS shares. On Monday, its CEO, Alexander Dyukov, is scheduled to meet with Vučić in Belgrade for negotiations.
"I hope the Russians will resolve this with the Americans," the Serbian president added.
Bloomberg notes that gas shortages this winter could increase pressure on Vučić, who is already facing domestic unrest. Since November 2024, tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have taken to the streets.
The demonstrations were sparked by the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station, which killed 13 people. Protesters blame the accident on corruption and insufficient oversight during the station's reconstruction.
Will Serbia impose sanctions on Russia?
In July, Vučić rejected the possibility of imposing sanctions on Russia, contradicting a statement from Serbia's Minister for European Affairs, Nemanja Starović.
"I regret that some of our friends in the Russian media are eager to find something to criticize Serbia for, and I regret that we have many people in our domestic political arena who are quicker to defend the Russians than they would ever defend Serbia. I have to disappoint them all: Serbia will not impose sanctions against Russia," he said.
Vučić added that Serbia continues to pursue a policy of neutrality.
