Bulgarian lawmakers decided to end imports of Russian crude starting from March, following Lukoil’s statement that it may sell Bulgarian assets due to unfair laws.
Lukoil’s refinery in Burgas, the biggest in Southeast Europe, is facing a tighter deadline to switch to alternative fuel sources after lawmakers backed a ban on Russian oil imports from March.
Parliament approved a measure on Monday that ends the country’s exemption from European Union sanctions imposed on Moscow after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Under the new deadline, Bulgaria — one of the few countries that was exempt from an EU-wide ban on Russian crude imports until the end of 2024 — will end imports of Russian oil from March.
Bulgaria’s move cuts short a derogation from the EU embargo on oil imports from Russia that the European Commission granted to Bulgaria in 2022.
The derogation was initially valid until December 31, 2024, and was based on Bulgaria’s specific geographic exposure.
The parliament also decided to scrap the transit fee on Russian natural gas imports to and transit via Bulgaria.
This decision prompted Hungary to issue a warning that it would block Bulgaria’s entry to the Schengen area unless the transit fee is lifted.
