Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Eleonora Mitrofanova
Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova has called for Sofia and Moscow to restore at least a normal bilateral dialogue, saying that Russia has so far had no contacts with Bulgaria’s new government led by Prime Minister Rumen Radev.
Speaking to the Russian news agency TASS about the state of relations during the government’s first 100 days, Mitrofanova said the change in Bulgaria’s rhetoric toward Russia was significant. She also pointed to several recent developments that Moscow views as positive.
“Bulgaria is acting, so to speak, quite independently” regarding the latest proposed EU sanctions against Russian Patriarch Kirill and Lukoil founder Vagit Alekperov, Mitrofanova said.
She also highlighted changes to Bulgarian legislation governing Lukoil’s activities in the country. However, the ambassador acknowledged that Sofia’s room for maneuver remains limited by Bulgaria’s membership in NATO and the European Union.
