SERBIA

VUČIĆ MESSAGE FROM THE EMIRATES: “In two or three days we will know who the buyer of the Russian stake in NIS is!”

by Serbian Times13. January 2026.13. January 2026.

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić stated that he believes that in two or three days it will be definitively known who the buyer of the Russian stake in the Oil Industry of Serbia will be. Vučić stated that he will also discuss NIS with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and assessed that the meeting will be of immense importance.

Vučić, who is attending Sustainability Week in Abu Dhabi, responding to a journalist’s comment that he spoke with representatives of MOL in Belgrade yesterday and the question of who is closer to taking over the Russian stake in NIS – whether the Hungarians, or if he is discussing it in Abu Dhabi with Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, replied: “Or perhaps both, we’ll see,” RTS reports.

To the question to specify who, Vučić briefly said that it could perhaps be both.

“Those whom you mentioned. Or perhaps both, six words. In two or three days, I believe you will know,” said President Vučić.

He pointed out that he does not expect the final contract for the sale of NIS to be completed in two or three days.

However, he added that he expects that within 48 hours binding term sheets (essential elements of a future agreement) will be submitted to OFAC, and that the final contract will be completed by February or March.

“When you submit binding terms of the contract, then it is clear in which direction things are going and it is unlikely that any deal breaker exists after that. I expect that to happen and I hope it will be, within the next 48 hours and within the time we said, which is by January 15,” said Vučić answering journalists’ questions about when he expects the purchase agreement for NIS to be completed.

He added that he hopes the license will be extended after that.

“Meeting with Bin Zayed tomorrow, of immense importance for us”

Vučić stated that tomorrow he will have a bilateral meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and pointed out that this is of immense importance for Serbia, bearing in mind the situation with NIS as well.

He added that he briefly saw Bin Zayed today, and that he had interviews for the media in the UAE.

“Tomorrow there will be a bilateral meeting with him, which is of immense importance for us bearing in mind the situation with NIS as well, about which I cannot speak in detail or completely. I hope for some more good news on that matter in the coming days,” said Vučić.