Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Export ban on Russian oil products to take effect from 1 January

MPs lift derogation for Russian oil

Vazrazhdane, ITN Lawmakers protest against the vote, get physical

Photo: BTA

The National Assembly has voted in first reading to end prematurely the exemption for the import of Russian oil approved by the European Commission. The adopted amendments will ban the import of fuels produced from Russian crude oil from 1 March 2024 and suspend their export from 1 January 2024.

Lawmakers also approved in first reading the abolition of a 20 leva per megawatt-hour trade fee on the import and transit of Russian natural gas. The decision was prompted by Hungary's threat to veto the country's accession to the Schengen area.

At the start of the session, MPs from the Vazrazhdane and There is Such a People parties again tried to disrupt the vote by forming a human chain around the rostrum. They did the same last week during a protest against the demolition of the Red Army monument in Sofia. 

There were physical clashes, but in the end work continued and MPs spoke from the rostrum using a hand-held microphone.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sunshine, temperatures will rise to above 30 Celsius on Thursday

On Thursday the weather in Bulgaria will be sunny, in the afternoon over the mountainous areas with insignificant cumulus clouds. There will be a weak, in the eastern regions to moderate wind from the south-southeast.  Temperatures will rise and..

published on 8/20/25 7:35 PM

Bulgaria is represented in an art project at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport

Magura Cultural Center is participating in the art project ''Irenwe Wa: she speaks the regular way'', created as part of the Terminal 5 expansion at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. ''This installation highlights the voices of immigrant..

published on 8/20/25 6:09 PM

Rosen Zhelyazkov and Yulia Svyrydenko discuss Ukraine's EU integration

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov held a video conference with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. During the meeting, Rosen Zhelyazkov reaffirmed Bulgaria’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the context of the war. He recalled that..

published on 8/20/25 5:44 PM