Bulgaria continues to receive Russian gas via swap deals or intermediaries - Bulgarian president

BAKU. Feb 5 (Interfax) - Bulgaria has partially resolved its gas import issues through Azerbaijan but indirectly continues to receive Russian gas, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said in an interview with Bulgarian media.

"High energy prices are a consequence of Europe's refusal of Russian natural gas," Radev said when commenting on the current energy situation in the country.

Bulgaria "has found a partial solution to the supply problem through gas from Azerbaijan" and has not purchased liquefied natural gas, he said.

"Natural gas does not flow from west to east. Gas comes from Russia. I believe that Russian gas continues to enter Bulgaria through swap operations or intermediaries," he said.

As reported, natural gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria totaled 2 billion cubic meters in 2024 and 1.25 bcm in 2023. Bulgaria's gas needs exceed 3 bcm per year.