President of the Serbian Parliament, Ana Brnabić, stated on Tuesday evening that the government will submit an amendment on 26 November to the 2026 Budget Proposal, introducing the possibility for the Serbian state to take ownership of the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS).
Speaking on Euronews Serbia, Brnabić noted that this amendment comes after President Aleksandar Vučić’s recent talks with multiple international actors, suggesting a new strategic shift in Serbia’s energy policy.
However, critics highlight that this move exposes months of mismanagement, poor planning, and increasing isolation caused by Vučić’s political decisions.
Potential State Takeover of NIS
According to Brnabić:
“One of the amendments that will be submitted will foresee the option for Serbia to take over NIS at a certain point.”
She insisted that she remains personally opposed to nationalization but stressed that “nothing can be allowed to endanger the living standard of citizens and the economy.”
Brnabić added a pointed remark toward Moscow:
“I hope our Russian partners keep this in mind. Have they so far? I would say they have not.”
NIS Under U.S. Sanctions — A Crisis Created Under Vučić’s Watch
NIS has been under U.S. sanctions for 47 days, with its Pančevo refinery—which supplies the majority of Serbia’s domestic market—having only four days left before a complete shutdown.
This information was confirmed earlier today by Vučić himself, who admitted during a press conference that the Serbian government has offered Russia a 50-day deadline to complete negotiations on the sale of its majority stake in NIS.
The looming halt of the refinery highlights the deepening consequences of Vučić’s foreign-policy balancing act, which has increasingly placed Serbia in a vulnerable position between Western sanctions and dependence on Russian energy assets.
A Risky Moment for Serbia’s Energy Security
Analysts argue that the government’s sudden push to create a legal basis for seizing NIS ownership reflects a reactive crisis management style, rather than a coherent long-term strategy.
The state now faces an urgent choice:
either secure a rapid agreement with Russia or prepare for the unprecedented economic impact of the refinery’s shutdown.
As Serbia approaches winter and uncertainty grows, Vučić’s leadership remains under intensifying scrutiny for allowing the country’s energy sector to reach such a critical point.
