The recently introduced fee for the import and transit of Russian gas through Bulgaria will not negatively affect European consumers. It will only affect Gazprom's profits, Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov told EU ambassadors at a meeting in Sofia. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maria Gabriel, Finance Minister Asen Vassilev and Energy Minister Rumen Radev also attended the meeting.

• EC backs Sofia's decision to introduce transit fees for Russian gas

• The transit fee for Russian natural gas is competitively justified, PM Denkov says

"The EU should not be dependent on Russian gas. It is unacceptable to use European taxpayers' money to finance Russia's war against Ukraine," Denkov said.

• The transit tax on Russian gas will not raise the price for consumers

Prime Minister Denkov also voiced his hope that the regular European Council meeting in December would take the right decision on Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area, which would benefit both Bulgarian and European citizens and businesses.