The government must answer why Russia has cut off gas supplies only to Bulgaria and Poland. And what about Austria and Germany - how do they pay for their supplies and how do they guarantee their energy security, President Rumen said in response to a journalist's question about the suspended gas supplies by Gazprom Export.

• Russia suspends natural gas supplies to Bulgaria

In his words, the government owes a direct answer to the citizens as to whose interests it serves. "It is high time the government gave evidence that it is aware of and defending Bulgarian sovereignty," Radev said.

Tomorrow, April 28, Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov and Deputy Prime Minister Assen Vassilev are leaving for Brussels to discuss the suspended gas supplies situation.

According to TASS news agency, citing an unnamed source from Brussels, the EU will temporarily significantly increase the purchase of Russian gas through countries that are willing to pay in roubles to compensate for the suspension of supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. In this way, the two countries will be able to purchase additional volumes of gas on the European market, the source has said, specifying that this was a temporary measure.

• The European Union to work on a joint response to Russia's decision to cut off gas deliveries to Bulgaria