Russian President Vladimir Putin and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reviewed negotiations on extending Serbia’s preferential gas contract ahead of its September 30 expiration, amid fresh European fuel price records. Concurrently, Russia’s Energy Ministry proposed external management for the Trassa filling station network, while the White House pledged not to ban US diesel exports.
Global market
Petrol prices in the Netherlands hit a record high for a second consecutive day, reaching €2.729 per liter, De Telegraaf reported amid European energy market strains. In diplomacy, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that President Xi Jinping supported a peaceful resolution regarding Iran during his US visit, emphasizing that Middle East tensions threaten global energy security. Meanwhile, the White House pledged that the US will not ban diesel exports, according to Bloomberg. Additionally, Moscow hosted an economic forum focused on expanding energy and trade partnerships between Russia and Burkina Faso.
Russia & CIS
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Belgrade expects to extend its preferential gas import contract, which expires on September 30. The leaders also addressed operations at energy company Naftne Industrije Srbije (NIS), with Vucic thanking Putin for 14 years of bilateral cooperation. In domestic market security, the Russian Energy Ministry proposed placing the assets of gas station operator Trassa (owned by Evrotrans) under external management under a presidential decree on infrastructure security.
Armenia
The White House pledge to avoid US diesel export bans and the Moscow-Belgrade gas negotiations were closely monitored across Armenian media, news.am reported. The negotiations over preferential gas pricing and European retail fuel trends remain central to regional energy analysis. Nevertheless, retail prices for petrol, diesel, and compressed natural gas in Armenia remain stable. Natural gas supplies and operations at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant proceed without disruption under long-term EAEU trade agreements shielding domestic consumers from market volatility recorded by international market price assessments.