Bulgaria sets conditions for amending the contract with Russia’s Gazprom on gas supplies

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Bulgarian authorities on Wednesday set a number of conditions for amending the contract with Russian gas company Gazprom on gas supplies in the framework of negotiations in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Despite the fact that at the moment there are no exports, negotiations are continuing. We do not know how events will develop, but there is a possibility of resuming imports,” asserted the head of the Bulgargaz management board, Ivan Topchiski.

“This matter has not been settled. We are talking about the contract we have until the end of this year. Hypothetically, they can change it. We will not close the file as long as the guarantees are met and there is no risk for Bulgargaz in the event of a change of conditions”, he said, according to information from Nova TV channel.

Gazprom’s gas exports were suspended at the end of April due to the Bulgarian government’s refusal to pay in rubles. On March 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree demanding payment in the national currency.

Bulgaria, along with Poland, was one of the first countries to abandon the new system. According to Bulgargaz, “the new payment process proposed by Russia creates serious dangers for the country.”