The US has granted a 60-day extension of the operating license for the Serbian oil firm NIS, which is crucial for maintaining oil imports and avoiding a shutdown of its sole refinery. Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic announced that this extension will aid in the stable planning of crude oil purchases. NIS, which dominates 80% of Serbia's fuel market, faced production halts at its Pancevo refinery due to sanctions that restricted crude supplies. The extension comes as Serbia is in discussions to sell a Russian-majority stake in NIS to Hungary's energy giant MOL, with a deadline for completion set for May 22. Despite recent political changes in Hungary, Serbian officials remain optimistic about finalizing the deal. Serbia, a close ally of Russia, has not imposed sanctions related to the ongoing war in Ukraine, maintaining its energy ties with Russian entities like Gazprom, which owns 45% of NIS.