Interview of the Ambassador of Russia to Bulgaria E. V. Mitrofanova for M. Karbovsky
Main theses:
Russia/Bulgaria
The Government of Bulgaria absolutely and completely supports the anti-Russian policy promoted by the EU and NATO. Sofia has joined all anti-Russian sanctions and is one of the largest suppliers of military production to Ukraine – most of these weapons and ammunition are produced under Soviet licenses that have long expired, which means that the factories in question use them illegally.
Russian-Bulgarian relations essentially do not exist at the moment. There is no interstate communication. Even through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which, given its specialization, should apparently maintain contact with the Embassy, nothing is happening. For a long time we have been trying to resolve several very important issues regarding the functioning of our institutions in Bulgaria, but we are not receiving answers.
We did not bring Russian-Bulgarian relations to the current impasse, and it is not our job to initiate their restoration. We have enough partners who themselves are striving to establish mutually beneficial contacts with us.
Lukoil
Sofia's actions to de facto expropriate the largest oil refinery in the Balkans are a truly dangerous precedent. It seems that the government can appropriate any private asset at its discretion and not bear any responsibility to the owner. If I were a business owner, I would seriously consider how safe it is to work in this country and whether I should try to find a more honest and transparent jurisdiction.
Europe
The European Union started with seemingly good intentions - introducing free movement of people and capital, but gradually began to interfere in every aspect of the life of its member states. It turns out that EU countries are formally independent, but in reality they cannot do anything without the approval of Brussels.
The EU is currently pursuing an aggressive, unconstructive and nihilistic policy towards Russia. The most amazing thing is that EU leaders talk a lot about strengthening their military potential, but say nothing about peace.
If Europe does not demonstrate a will for a diplomatic resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, the current period of confrontation will not end soon.