Several EU nations recognize that bypassing Russian gas could complicate staying warm through the coming winter. A member of the State Duma Energy Committee, Boris Gladkikh, shared this assessment in an interview with RT, commenting on Bulgaria’s intention to keep Russian gas flowing.
He pointed to rising gas prices and growing strains on financing both manufacturing and public services. The deputy argued that EU member states have ended up bearing their own public discontent and business pressure stemming from anti-Russian sanctions, partly on their own fault.
Bulgaria and gas
Bulgaria’s interim government signaled a willingness to resume talks on a contract for supplying Russian gas. During a broadcast of Hello Bulgaria, the acting director explained that a formal note had been sent to Gazprom. Energy Minister Rosen Hristov noted that a response was expected either today or Monday.
He said Bulgaria was prepared to continue negotiations and had several proposals aimed at optimizing the contract’s terms.
Hristov captioned the matter as dealing with an old contract and highlighted that Bulgaria would not have time to utilize all gas quantities under it. Sofia proposed extending the deadline to 2023 for the remaining gas, while stopping short of renewing the contract.
Asked whether Bulgaria would support Russia’s actions in Ukraine by purchasing gas from Moscow, Hristov noted that the country still relies on Russian gas through intermediaries and pays a premium. He added that if European leaders want to reduce Russian gas purchases, Germany should first curb its own imports. The same logic applies to other leading European economies.
The government also emphasized the need for a bank guarantee with monthly gas deliveries. Although Gazprom and Bulgaria previously operated a prepayment scheme, Hristov warned that this approach carries risk: money can move, but gas cannot.
On the topic of alternatives, the Energy Minister confirmed that Bulgaria does have other options. However, in mid-August Sofia reportedly gave up six US LNG tankers because prices could not be made to work economically for November and December.
Hristov said Bulgaria had received an offer to deliver a tanker in October but could not find a slot at a price that would make it viable for those months. Regarding Russian suppliers, Bulgaria announced in early August that talks with Gazprom would continue if no viable alternatives could be found, a stance described as a priority.
The minister stressed that politicians would not be permitted to freeze the population and that gas supply security through the end of the heating season, and ideally into next year, remained the goal. He added that long-term contracts would be left for the next government to decide.
Even while buying gas from Russia, Bulgaria stated it would stay within the European Union and work with Gazprom on similar terms as other EU members. The aim was to ensure a safe, guaranteed supply at a fair price, with a strict requirement to secure 120 percent of the needed gas to feel assured about energy security.
When Gazprom halted deliveries to Bulgargaz on April 27 due to late ruble payments, Sofia claimed it had identified alternative suppliers who could offer gas at significantly lower prices. By July, Bulgarian gas prices reached 186.17 Bulgarian leva per MWh (roughly 95.34 euros), and prices were projected to rise to 297.89 leva (about 148.95 euros) in August.
Norway does not offer discounts
European importers should not expect discounts on Norwegian natural gas despite the ongoing energy crunch. The Norwegian Oil and Energy Minister, Terje Osland, told the E24 newspaper that gas customers are treated on a commercial basis and that authorities will not compel firms to accept below-market prices.
Osland also recalled that Brussels moved away from long-term contracts two decades ago in favor of spot-market trading. Today, Norway’s system involves contracts driven by economic logic rather than political considerations.
Prices have surged across the EU as gas costs climb. At present, gas is trading at about $3,376 per thousand cubic meters. Norway remains a major supplier, providing roughly a quarter of the EU’s energy needs, and aims to secure substantial hydrocarbon exports in the coming years, projecting significant revenue growth compared with the previous year.