U.S. Extends MOL (MOLB.BU) Talks Deadline for Serbia's NIS (NIIS.BEL) Stake

MOL Plc (MOLB.BU) said on Saturday, June 6, 2026, it received a two-week extension from the U.S. Treasury to complete negotiations to buy a majority stake in Serbia's Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIIS.BEL), pushing the deadline to June 16. The Hungarian oil and gas group seeks to acquire the 56.16% holding in NIS owned by Russia's Gazprom Neft (SIBN.MM). NIS has been under U.S. sanctions since October 2025, part of measures targeting Moscow's energy sector, and Washington has pushed for divestment of the Russian interest. The Office of Foreign Assets Control issued the license extension after MOL reported that talks had advanced materially, allowing finalization of transaction documentation. This follows a previous two-week extension that expired June 6. MOL requested the additional time on Wednesday.