Serbian-owned NIS (NIIS.BEL) has requested a new US sanctions waiver to allow crude imports while it awaits the completion of a sale to Hungary's MOL (MOLB.BU). The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on NIS in October as part of broader measures against Russia's energy sector over the Ukraine war. NIS operates Serbia's only oil refinery and supplies 80% of the country's fuel needs. The request emphasises the importance of NIS's operations for the Serbian economy, particularly in light of global developments and the situation on the world oil market.