Russian diesel deal: Bulgaria's Yotova hopes for lower prices, Borissov attacks government

The deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Russian diesel supplies sparked debate in Bulgaria on Saturday. Trump said more than 300,000 tons would flow immediately to U.S. and world markets, another 500,000 tons in November, later up to 1 million tons and then a further 3 million tons. Washington temporarily exempted Russian diesel from sanctions until April 7, 2027. Analysts doubt Russia can deliver such volumes.

President Iliana Yotova said near Asenovgrad that she hoped the agreement would affect diesel prices worldwide: “All of us are interested in prices falling, not rising.” At the same time she urged waiting to see what the deal actually contains, as the information was still preliminary, BTA reported. The fuel shortage is putting all of Europe in difficulty, she said.

GERB leader Boyko Borissov used the deal to attack Prime Minister Rumen Radev's government. On Sept. 23 parliament lifted the fuel export ban with the votes of Progressive Bulgaria. While other countries do everything to secure fuel for their own economies, Bulgaria lets it leave the country, Borissov wrote on Facebook. “Who has an interest in this? Certainly not Bulgarian producers and consumers.” He said certain traders would profit at consumers’ expense.