Too late for Bulgaria to ask Russia for gas pipeline after ditching South Stream

Bulgaria missed its chance to have a gas pipeline from Russia after backing out of the South Stream project four years ago, Russian Senator Aleksey Pushkov wrote on Twitter.

During his visit to Moscow on Monday, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev proposed building a direct pipeline from Russia to Bulgaria.

"Bulgaria ditching the South Stream was a gross error, Turkey immediately seized its chance [with Turkish Stream], and Germany is building Nord Stream 2. A good lesson for Sofia," Pushkov wrote.

The South Stream project was cancelled by Bulgaria following pressure from the European Union and the United States. The final decision to stop the project was announced in June 2014 by the Bulgarian authorities following the visit of US Senators John McCain, Chris Murphy and Ron Johnson.
  RT
 22/5/18
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Related:

• Bulgarian PM says he wants to normalise relations with Russia
• Gazprom considering new gas transit projects in south of Europe — Russia’s FM

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• South Stream pipeline can be built (European Commission). Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Russia’s decision to stop the South Stream gas project is final.
• European Commission welcomes Bulgaria’s suspension of work on South Stream
• Bulgaria suspends works on South Stream project. - Plamen Oresharrski said on Sunday after a meeting with American Senators.
• US could sanction Bulgarian firms that work with South Stream construction firm Stroytransgaz.(US ambassador)

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2013:

• Varna Plans Revolt against Russian-sponsored Gas Pipeline