In an interview with the “world”, the centrist leader, firmly proeuropian, calls the EU for help in the economic conflict which opposes it to the Kremlin.
Kiril Petkov, 42, has directed the Bulgarian government since December 2021. Centrist firmly proeuropian, he must deal with a coalition partner and an openly pro-Moscow president, while Russia announced on Tuesday, April 26, that She suspended all her gas deliveries in retaliation for the Bulgarian refusal to pay Gazprom in rubles.
Did Russia actually cut the gas supply of Bulgaria?
Yes, gas has been cut since 9 am, Wednesday, April 27. We were notified of it the day before.
and how long can you hold?
We have direct reservations to last more than a month, with unchanged circumstances. But we hope to finish the construction of the new interconnector with Greece by the end of June. And we also rely on the common purchase strategy of gas liquefied by the European Commission.
We need to act together and act quickly. Because we will not give in. No one has the right to unilaterally change the terms of the contract. If we yielded, it would be the first crack within the European family, and Bulgaria will not be the source of this crack.
What type of help do you expect from the European Union ?
Very concretely, we hope to help Azerbaijani gas as quickly as possible. We also hope for common liquefied natural gas purchases (LNG). We are waiting for a solidarity response from all European countries. We are strong in the unit, not in the divisions.
Germany is against a joint gas purchase policy, ask Berlin to change positions?
We ask Berlin to be strongly behind us, to say that it is unacceptable to pay in rubles and to say that no one has the right to change a contract unilaterally.
a your Notice, why was Bulgaria (with Poland) was specifically targeted by Gazprom?
I think it’s because of the payment schedule. We were the first to have to pay and refused to do so in rubles. I think other European countries will follow. That said, we also have an incredibly aggressive Russian ambassador to Sofia. She is not at all worthy of a diplomat, and her aggressive internal relationships may also have contributed.
Do you think Russia seeks to destabilize your government?
I am sure that Russian power does not like our government at all and that they would like to hear more prorussian positions in Sofia. They said themselves that they would be happy if others that our posts occupied.
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