Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said he was pessimistic that an agreement would be reached before Friday’s deadline regarding Hungarian oil company MOL group's bid to acquire a majority stake in Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), the operator of Serbia’s only oil refinery.
Russia’s Gazprom Neft and Gazprom agreed in January to sell their combined 56% controlling stake in NIS to MOL after the United States demanded the divestment of Russian-owned shares under sanctions linked to Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Washington has given the Russian firms and MOL until 22 May to finalise the transaction, which also requires approval from the Serbian government because the state owns a 29.9% stake in NIS.
Speaking to Serbia’s RTS television late on Thursday (21 May), Vučić said he did not expect the Russian companies and MOL to reach a final agreement before the deadline.
“We have held countless meetings with representatives of MOL. I hope we will achieve a successful outcome, but I am not optimistic,” he said.
Despite his doubts, Vučić suggested the United States was likely to grant additional time for the parties to complete negotiations.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on NIS in October due to the company’s Russian ownership as part of broader measures targeting Russia’s energy sector. However, NIS has since obtained several waivers from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that there is a good chance” of reaching a deal with Iran, but warned that Washington would resume milita...
Prime Minister Burnham and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a Royal Navy base in Portsmouth, where they met British and Ukrainian troops taking p...
Russia's Supreme Court has prohibited the transfer of funds to Digimarket, a U.S.$35 million offshore company linked to Ruben Vardanyan, as legal proc...
Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its pause on strikes, but Tehran remains sceptical of U.S. intentions, a senior Iranian source told on Sunday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that there is a good chance” of reaching a deal with Iran, but warned that Washington would resume military operation if negotiations fail.
The Russia-Ukraine war is increasingly reshaping the Caspian region. From threats to energy infrastructure to renewed diplomatic efforts, countries across the region are adapting to the wider consequences of a conflict that continues to disrupt trade, transport and security.
A New York school district has put plans to introduce a humanoid robot into classrooms on hold after fierce criticism from teachers, Indigenous community members and state education officials over the use of artificial intelligence in schools.
A known Islamist suspected of driving a minivan into a crowd near a major LGBTQ Pride gathering in Berlin was shot dead during a police operation at an allotment garden complex, broadcaster RBB reported on Sunday.
Prime Minister Burnham and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a Royal Navy base in Portsmouth, where they met British and Ukrainian troops taking part in Exercise Sea Breeze. The visit underscored Britain's commitment to supporting Ukraine as the war with Russia continues.
A known Islamist suspected of driving a minivan into a crowd near a major LGBTQ Pride gathering in Berlin was shot dead during a police operation at an allotment garden complex, broadcaster RBB reported on Sunday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed laws introducing stricter financial requirements for foreign workers, as Moscow continues to tighten migration controls affecting millions of labour migrants, particularly from Central Asia.
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 3,200, including 1,405 deaths, according to government data released on Sunday, highlighting the scale of an outbreak that continues to challenge health authorities and aid agencies.
The 27 July edition of Daybreak covers a pause in fighting between the U.S. and Iran, the latest developments in Russia's war against Ukraine, and mass evacuations as wildfires continue to spread across France and Spain.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment