The press conference of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, which caused an unprecedented world interest, answered many questions regarding Russia’s current situation and policy line. Now this country feels as a besieged fortress, surrounded by enemies. Meanwhile, Moscow in fact wants to feel like the Russian bear from the fairytales and feast on sweet honey and wild berries without being disturbed at all. Apparently, the West including Bulgaria, are among its enemies. Bulgaria was not mentioned by Russia’s head of state, but obviously the supreme authorities in Moscow have discussed the relations between Russia and Bulgaria a lot. That is why, Putin’s new idea envisages an alternative of the South Stream gas pipeline project which, according to the initial plans had to cross the bottom of the Black Sea and enter the territory of the European Union on Bulgaria’s sea coast. However, Sofia demanded that this project should meet the EU requirements and become financially beneficial. It turned out that Moscow and Gazprom did not respect any of Bulgaria’s requests. However, Moscow needs foreign currency badly. It found an alternative of the suspended gas project and decided to build the gas pipe to Turkey. Later, the gas has to reach Greece and be distributed to the rest of the European continent. 

Russia announced on Thursday how its gas would reach Europe - it would cross Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Hungary on its way to Western Europe. It is enough to have a quick look at the European map to realize that the new gas route would be longer and therefore more expensive and what price Russia is ready to pay, in order to isolate Bulgaria from its future energy plans. Apparently, the Russian bear got very angry and decided to crush small Bulgaria under its foot, instead of feasting on wild berries.

However, according to the latest declarations of Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov made at the European Council in Brussels, Bulgaria still relies on the gas project and intends to fulfill its engagements under the South Stream project. Bulgaria is by no means to be blamed for the suspension of the South Stream project, Premier Borissov contended. He also said that his country would continue with the preparatory works linked with the fulfillment of this gas project. Moreover, Sofia’s policy was backed in Brussels by the EU supreme body. This is a proof that the Bulgarian authorities and the EU are willing and benevolent to continue the dialogue and cooperation with Moscow.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov