Serbia's NIS oil refinery licence extended, MOL purchase deal expected soon

Naftna Industrija Srbije OFAC licence extension MOL purchase Russian stake fuel supply

The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has extended the operating licence for Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) until 28 August 2026, allowing the refinery in Pančevo to continue processing crude oil. NIS supplies roughly 80 % of Serbia’s fuel demand. The extension gives the company about 30 days to secure enough crude amid record‑low Danube water levels that have cut fuel imports to about 25 % of the monthly target for July.

The United States imposed sanctions on NIS in October 2025 because of its majority Russian ownership by Gazprom Neft and Gazprom. Hungary’s oil and gas group MOL is negotiating to buy the Russian‑owned 56 % stake from Gazprom Neft/Gazprom. Serbia’s government retains a 29.9 % share, with the remainder held by small shareholders and employees.

President Aleksandar Vučić said he expects the NIS deal to be finalised in the coming days and that he will likely discuss it with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar.

Entities

Aleksandar Vučić · Dubravka Djedović Handanović · Gazprom Neft · Gazpromneft · MOL Group · Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) · Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) · Serbia · Vladimir Putin

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] A final agreement on the transfer of the Russian ownership stake in Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) to MOL is expected within the next few days. nin.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] If the current growth pace continues, Serbia could achieve more than 4% economic growth next year. nin.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] Serbia’s GDP grew 3.4% in the first half of 2024, making it the fastest‑growing economy in Europe. nin.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] Higher economic growth will translate into higher wages and pensions for Serbian citizens. nin.rs
[● 4 SOURCES] President Aleksandar Vučić said he expects finalisation of the NIS deal in the coming days and will likely discuss it with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar. nin.rs · mix929.com · www.nedeljnik.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] Serbia recorded a real GDP growth of 3.6% in the second quarter of 2024 compared with the same period last year. nin.rs
[● 7 SOURCES] The deal involves transferring the Russian ownership stake in NIS to MOL. nin.rs · www.nedeljnik.rs · szmsz.press · beta.rs · www.politika.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] Vučić reported fuel shortages and high oil prices caused by the war in Iran.
[● 8 SOURCES] Vučić said he will likely discuss the NIS deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar. nin.rs · www.nedeljnik.rs · szmsz.press · beta.rs · www.politika.rs · +2 more
[DISPUTED] OFAC extended the operating licence for Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) until 28 August. tvzonaplus.rs · www.sd.rs · www.politika.rs · novosadska.tv · mix929.com
[● 3 SOURCES] MOL Group signed a framework agreement with Gazpromneft to purchase a 56.15% stake in NIS. www.politika.rs · mix929.com · nin.rs
[● 4 SOURCES] The licence extension allows NIS to continue processing crude oil and supplying the domestic market. www.sd.rs · novosadska.tv · mix929.com