Bulgaria had covers more than 90 percent of its gas requirements with Russian supplies, until Gazprom stopped deliveries to the EU country in April. Because the previous government in Sofia had refused to pay in rubles in the course of sanctions because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The long-term contract with Gazprom expires at the end of 2022. Because of the Ukraine war, many EU countries are trying to reduce their dependence on Russia for energy supplies – including Germany. Currently, Bulgaria, which needs about three billion cubic meters of gas annually, receives a third of it from Azerbaijan and buys the rest on the world market.
Hristov accused the previous government of reformist Prime Minister Kiril Petkov of damaging ties with Moscow over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Petkov’s government collapsed in June after just six months in office. “The situation with Gazprom is far from rosy,” said Hristow. “Of course we have to contact them now. The talks are going to be very tough and very difficult.”
Hundreds of Bulgarians have protested against the interim government since it took office on August 2. Because people fear that the government will work to restart Russian gas supplies and further increase the Kremlin’s influence on the Bulgarian economy. The Russian ambassador to Bulgaria said on Sunday that gas supplies to Bulgaria could resume if the government in Sofia had the political will to do so. However, you have to pay in rubles.