MPs ended the derogation for Lukoil and removed the fee for Russian gas transit

The Parliament on December 18 adopted at first and second reading a ban on the export of fuels produced from Russian oil from 1 January, and from 1 March the work of Lukoil with Russian oil is banned.

MPs also backed the abolition of the 20 BGN per megawatt-hour fee on imports and transit of Russian natural gas through Bulgaria's territory. The abolition of the fee came after Hungary gave an ultimatum to Bulgaria and threatened to veto the country’s entry into the Schengen visa zone.

"Ending the derogation for exports from January 1 to third countries and ending oil imports from March 1 will deprive Lukoil, and therefore the Kremlin, of additional profits to finance its war effort in Ukraine. According to analysts' estimates, business valuations for Lukoil Bulgaria provide about $3 billion in profits for Lukoil since the start of the Russian invasion, formed by the discount of about $20 per barrel of Ural oil brand, as well as about 4% of the total revenues in the Russian oil budget for 2023," said Delyan Dobrev, chairman of the energy committee and a GERB-UDF MP.

With 143 votes in favour, the Parliament decided to increase the capital of Kozloduy NPP by BGN 1.5 billion in order to build the 7th and 8th units at the site No. 2 of the nuclear power plant using AR1000 technology.

The decisions were taken without debate but amid clashes and scandals in the plenary chamber.