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

Kiril Petkov: By turning away from Russian gas, Bulgaria has taken a leadership position in the EU

Kiril Petkov
Photo: BGNES-archive

Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev held a phone call with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda. The two heads of state discussed the situation in Ukraine and the security environment in the region. Presidents Radev and Duda expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine and support for the country’s European perspective. Rumen Radev and Andrzej Duda also discussed NATO’s enlargement and strengthening its defense potential. The two also discussed the process of European integration of the countries in the Western Balkans.

Bulgaria’s Premier Kiril Petkov told CNBC that Russian President Vladimir Putin should be wary of using gas as a weapon, because he is losing clients for good. Several weeks ago, Bulgaria decided that it would not pay for Russian gas in Rubles, as demanded by Moscow, because it represented a breach of contract. In turn, Russia cut its gas supplies to Bulgaria. Kiril Petkov said he didn’t regret the decision to refuse Moscow’s demand, saying his country had showed Putin that “Bulgaria can stand on its feet, that gas dependency cannot be a way to influence our foreign policy, that we, as Europeans, can hold firm under pressure”. By turning away from Russian gas, Petkov said Bulgaria had taken a leadership position in the EU, CNBC reports.




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

Frost is possible in the valleys and high fields, but it will be warm during the day

On Tuesday , the lowest temperatures will be between 2 and 7°C. In the valleys and high fields the temperature can drop to minus 2°C; in Sofia – about 1°C. In the morning, there will be reduced visibility along the river valleys. It..

published on 10/20/25 7:15 PM

European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigates projects in Plovdiv Municipality

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has carried out searches in the Municipality of Plovdiv and in a company suspected of public procurement fraud related to the improvement of urban green and public spaces in the city, the EP..

published on 10/20/25 4:10 PM

GDP grows by 3.4% in 2024

In 2024, the gross domestic product of Bulgaria increased in real terms by 3.4% compared to the previous year, according to data by the National Statistical Institute, BTA reported. Gross national income at market prices last year..

published on 10/20/25 2:52 PM