President Vucic speaks about US sanctions against Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS)

Printscreen: RTS 1

President Aleksandar Vucic said last night that he believes Serbia will reach an agreement with Russian partners after the US imposed sanctions against the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), and added that everything will be done not to endanger Russian assets in Serbia.

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"I believe that we will first come to an agreement with the Russian partners and we will do our best not to behave irresponsibly and not to endanger Russian property, not to steal their property," Vucic told RTS.

According to him, the Russian partners stressed that they understood him and would do everything in their power to help Serbia when it comes to NIS.

"They told me in a fair manner - we understood you, Aleksandar, we will try to come to an agreement, to do everything we can to help you in this matter," the president added.

Because of the sanctions against NIS,  banks are also exposed to risk, but they will not be allowed to fail, he said.

"Serbia is the only country in the region that has an investment rating. We have invested so much in that, my duty is to protect Serbia from anything, to show fair relations toward the Russians, as well as everyone, else," he added.

According to Vucic, there is enough fuel oil (for heating plants) until the end of January, while he hopes that it will be available until the end of the winter season.

"That was one of the agreements with the Hungarians. We have enough fuel oil and kerosene for planes, for our heating plants, and for everything else. Things are getting complicated, but people need to know that we are working on it on a daily basis and I believe that we will manage to find solutions," said Vucic.

The president continued to say that the energy situation in the region is complex and that Serbia must think long-term.

"There are politicians who count only on surviving the winter. I'm not looking at things that way, I'm looking at what will happen in two, three, five, ten years," said Vucic.

Vucic stressed that he thinks it is important for the state to invest in energy because there is awareness of what lies ahead.

"Not because I feel like wasting money, but because I think we should spend on the energy sector. Instead of what someone would do differently, buy the good will of the people, I am in favor of spending on energy," the president said.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)