At the end of last week, Prime Minister Rumen Radev discussed the issue of sanctions against Russia after Kostadin Kostadinov, a Member of Parliament from the “Vazrazhdane” party, raised a question regarding the possibility of importing cheap oil. In response to the inquiry, the Prime Minister stated that Bulgaria could contribute much more to its own economy, as well as to those of its neighbors and allies, if it imported oil directly from Russia. Radev added that sometimes the raw material passes through four straits, which is accompanied by significant risks, noting that the potential lifting of restrictions on oil supplies is a matter for a common European decision.

Against the backdrop of these discussions, the government press office announced that the Council of Ministers has granted an individual derogation to “Bulmachinery Enterprises” Ltd. from European restrictions on supplies to Russia. The purpose of this decision is to allow the company to fulfill a shipment to “Rosatom Service” JSC in Russia. The scope of the authorized delivery includes 288 welded hexagonal stainless steel pipes, along with three specimens of the same metal. These specimens are required for conducting mandatory mechanical property tests on the material used.

According to the official cabinet decision, the items are intended to be incorporated into containers for the storage of spent nuclear fuel. Securing this delivery is directly linked to the needs of “Kozloduy NPP” EAD, with the primary motive for the exemption being to ensure the safe operation and normal functioning of the Bulgarian nuclear power plant.