Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria could face fuel shortages if Lukoil stops operating, says GERB leader Borissov

Boyko Borissov
Photo: BTA

Bulgaria could run into fuel shortages if the Lukoil Neftochim refinery stops operating, former Prime Minister and GERB leader Boyko Borissov warned on Thursday.

Speaking in the corridors of parliament, Mr Borissov said the government had received advance notice of possible sanctions on Russian energy companies, particularly Lukoil. This led to preventive legislation requiring approval from Bulgaria’s domestic security agency (DANS) for any sale of the company.

'We anticipated events — we have held careful discussions with the finance minister and the governor of the central bank to monitor the situation, because this is serious business. At one point, we could even be left without fuel,' Borissov said, while noting that the United States might reconsider its position.

Assen Vassilev, leader of the 'We Continue the Change' party, added, 'If Lukoil stops operating, it would disrupt fuel supplies to the country. We do not have sufficient import capacity to cover the country’s full needs.”

Assen Vassilev

Meanwhile, the Bulgarian National Bank said it is analysing the potential impact of the sanctions, adding that 'on a systemic level, there is no direct credit risk affecting the stability of the country's banking system.'



Editor: Ivo Ivanov
Posted in English by E. Radkova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A warning for dangerous rainfall has been issued for 12 regions in Southern Bulgaria

On Friday, the lowest temperatures will be between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 12°C in the southeast, around 6°C in Sofia . During the next 24 hours, the weather will remain cloudy. It will rain in almost the entire country. During the day, rainfall..

published on 11/27/25 6:45 PM

Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev released pending trial on €102,258 bond

The Varna District Court has released the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on a financial bond of €102,258. Before the court’s decision was announced, supporters of the mayor and members of the We Continue the Change party gathered outside the..

published on 11/27/25 5:37 PM

Three detained and five police officers injured at last night's protest in Sofia

Three people, including an Italian citizen, were arrested during last night's protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget in front of the National Assembly, the director of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir..

published on 11/27/25 3:50 PM