Bulgaria decides to halt transit of Russian gas starting in 2026
Photo: Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov (plovdivnews.bg)
Bulgaria will terminate contracts for the transit of Russian gas in 2026 and will completely stop transit in 2028, states Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, according to BNR.
"As for the call by President Donald Trump, made during the UN General Assembly session, we, as part of the European Union, will join decisions to ensure that, in the short term — by 2026 — contracts for the use or transit of Russian natural gas are terminated," Zhelyazkov said.
He added that by 2026, contracts for the use or transit of Russian natural gas must be terminated, and by 2028, it should be completely excluded from the Bulgarian energy market.
According to the prime minister, all natural gas consumption in Bulgaria, both for industry and households, is covered by imported liquefied gas delivered through specialized terminals.
The Balkan Stream pipeline passes through Bulgaria, through which Hungary has been importing Russian gas bypassing Ukraine since 2021. From 2025, Slovakia also joined, when the transit contract between Ukraine and Russia expired.
Refusal of Russian gas
Recently, US President Donald Trump announced his readiness to impose "serious sanctions" against Russia, but set a condition: NATO countries must stop buying Russian gas and oil.
Yesterday, on September 23, speaking at the UN General Assembly, the US president criticized the EU, saying that European countries’ purchase of Russian oil is a disgrace.
As is known, at least eight EU countries still import Russian gas.
Moreover, the EU plans to include an accelerated phase-out of Russian gas imports in its 19th sanctions package against Russia, aiming to gradually stop supplies by January 1, 2027.
