Bulgaria restricts the export of oil products, amid US sanctions against the Russian energy sector

Bulgaria's parliament on Friday adopted temporary restrictions on oil product exports, including to other EU states, to ensure a sufficient supply in the context of US sanctions on Russian energy, reports AFP.

The US last week announced sanctions on Russia's main oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, the first such measures since Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Lukoil operates Bulgaria's largest oil refinery, although it accepted an offer to sell all of its foreign assets on Thursday.

The motion by Bulgaria's tripartite ruling coalition addressed “the need to guarantee the country's energy security and the stability of the domestic fuel market in relation to” the sanctions imposed by the United States, supporters of the move said in a statement.

“In a context of reduced supply predictability, the temporary ban on intra-EU exports and deliveries is imposed as a proportionate and necessary measure to protect the public interest,” the statement said.

Bulgarian parliamentarians adopted the motion with 135 votes in favor, four against and 42 abstentions.

The ban covers exports of petroleum products, including diesel and aviation fuel.

Exceptions are allowed for the refueling and reloading of local and foreign ships and aircraft, as well as for supplying within the EU to the armed forces of NATO or the armed forces of any EU member state, when the situation is related to the common security and defense policy of the community bloc.

The Bulgarian customs authority can also authorize specific exports – for example, for the implementation of an international treaty, to prevent significant damage to a Bulgarian economic operator, to maintain the continuity of production processes, as well as for humanitarian purposes, after obtaining parliamentary approval.