The sale of a Russian stake in the Serbian oil company NIS (Oil Industry of Serbia) to MOL in Hungary has not yet been completed, and the final decision remains with the Russian owners. This was written by economist Radoika Nikolic, editor-in-chief of business magazines and Equimetar, in an interview with Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS). According to her, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), issued by MOL, was an important step towards the possible purchase of NIS, but does not intend to complete the transaction. The new license allows the transfer of shares belonging to the Russian side to a temporary account of MOL Serbia, where they will be frozen. Until the transaction is completed, neither the Russian side nor the MOL will be able to dispose of these shares. In addition, the Hungarian company received the opportunity to officially negotiate with Russian government bodies and NIS owners for the purchase of shares. Nikoli stressed that the Russian side must officially approve the sale agreement. "Russia can stop the process if it means now that we don't want to sell," she says. According to the expert, the sales contract has not yet been finalized, and previously issuing permits to extend sanctions exemptions and continuing the supply of NIS was necessary to wait for the final agreement. According to the planned schedule, by February 28, 2027, MOL must submit documents confirming the possibility of completing the transaction. Among other things, the consent of the Russian owners to sell. In addition, the approval of the trust authorities of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union will be required. Nicoli doesn't expect any major obstacles at this point. At the same time, she recalls that the future of sanctions against the NIS largely depends on the relationship between Washington and Moscow, as well as on the development of the situation surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.

The sale of a Russian stake in the Serbian oil company NIS (Oil Industry of Serbia) to MOL in Hungary has not yet been completed, and the final decision remains with the Russian owners. This was written by economist Radoika Nikolic, editor-in-chief of business magazines and Equimetar, in an interview with Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS). According to her, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), issued by MOL, was an important step towards the possible purchase of NIS, but does not intend to complete the transaction. The new license allows the transfer of shares belonging to the Russian side to a temporary account of MOL Serbia, where they will be frozen. Until the transaction is completed, neither the Russian side nor the MOL will be able to dispose of these shares. In addition, the Hungarian company received the opportunity to officially negotiate with Russian government bodies and NIS owners for the purchase of shares. Nikoli stressed that the Russian side must officially approve the sale agreement. "Russia can stop the process if it means now that we don't want to sell," she says. According to the expert, the sales contract has not yet been finalized, and previously issuing permits to extend sanctions exemptions and continuing the supply of NIS was necessary to wait for the final agreement. According to the planned schedule, by February 28, 2027, MOL must submit documents confirming the possibility of completing the transaction. Among other things, the consent of the Russian owners to sell. In addition, the approval of the trust authorities of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union will be required. Nicoli doesn't expect any major obstacles at this point. At the same time, she recalls that the future of sanctions against the NIS largely depends on the relationship between Washington and Moscow, as well as on the development of the situation surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.