Bulgaria supports the European Union's (EU) plan to stop imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027. However, the “Turkish Stream“ - the last gas pipeline through which gas from Russia is transported to the EU - passes through Bulgaria. Specifically, this means that Hungary and Slovakia will lose the opportunity to continue buying gas from Russia, writes Politico.
“As an EU member state, Bulgaria acts in accordance with European legislation and policy, including (the proposed – ed. note) a phased suspension (of imports of Russian gas – ed. note) by the end of 2027“, Bulgarian Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said in an interview with the prestigious publication. According to him, it is expected that by January 1, 2028, the consumption of Russian gas in Europe will be completely stopped.
A few days earlier, after Donald Trump called on Europe at the UN to stop buying energy from Russia, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov promised: “We (...) will join the EU's decisions to terminate contracts for the use or transit of Russian natural gas in the short term“.
Budapest and Bratislava do not want to stop imports from Russia
According to journalists, Sofia's intention to support the EU's efforts to abandon Russian gas could cause serious concerns in Budapest and Bratislava. Hungary and Slovakia now purchase about 70% of their natural gas needs from Russia. The two countries, which are also EU members, suggest that the suspension of Russian supplies will lead to a surge in energy prices on their domestic markets.
Meanwhile, experts point out that Hungary and Slovakia can compensate for the lack of Russian gas by purchasing liquefied natural gas, which enters the EU through terminals in Norway. According to Minister Stankov, Bulgaria is conducting “constructive discussions with its colleagues in the region about the possibility of jointly participating in tenders for the purchase of American liquefied gas“.
Increased supplies of Russian liquefied gas to the EU
Meanwhile, the environmental organization "Greenpeace" published a study according to which, in parallel with the reduction in Russian natural gas supplies via pipelines to the EU, tanker deliveries of Russian liquefied natural gas to the EU have increased.
On September 19, the European Commission (EC) presented the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which, among other things, provides for a ban on the import of Russian liquefied natural gas into the EU from January 2027 and a complete ban on transactions with the Russian energy companies “Rosneft“ and “Gazpromneft“ .
Against this background, “Greenpeace“ warns of the danger of the EU developing energy dependence on the United States.
Author: Alexandra Ivanova