Gazprom

The decision to pay for Russian gas in rubles was intended as a measure against sanctions imposed on Russia. This was explained by the economist Daniel Vassilev on Nova TV. According to him, the sanctions were aimed at destroying the ruble, Russia tried to increase its demand, with a solution that would increase its value.

"None of the Bulgarian employers want Gazprom and payment in rubles. But everyone wants gas at reasonable prices so that we can remain competitive." This was said by the Minister of Innovation and Growth Daniel Lorer on Nova TV.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) and Prime Minister of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov (L) shake hands as they attend a meeting in Kyiv, April 28, 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

"Forever" - this is how Deputy Prime Minister Asen Vassilev answered the question of how long Bulgaria can last with the use of alternatives to Russian gas.

Those earlier arguments, based on Prague's plan to play a major role in distributing gas from Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline, derailed the project to build the Stork II gas link between the two countries in 2020.

"Bulgaria is able to replace all gas supplies from Russia", Deputy Prime Minister Asen Vassilev told reporters in Brussels.

He visited the European Commission together with the Minister of Energy Alexander Nikolov. The visit was due to Gazprom's decision to suspend gas for Bulgaria.

Greece plans to pay Russia's gas supplier Gazprom next month in a way that will not violate European Union sanctions against Russia. This was stated by the Minister of Energy Kostas Skrekas.

Russia has suspended gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, Guterres is already in Kyiv, explosions in Moldova. Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Russia stopped the gas for Poland and Bulgaria

"There is no danger of stopping the hot water in Sofia in the summer due to the suspended gas supplies by Gazprom. No regime will be introduced. However, it is possible to reduce the water temperature." This was stated to bTV by the member of the Supervisory Board of "Toplofikacia" (District Heating) Sofia Valentin Terziiski.

The European Union has warned Russia it will not bend to "blackmail" over its support for Kyiv after the Kremlin cut off gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland.

The warning on Wednesday came ahead of UN chief Antonio Guterres arriving in Kyiv to meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.