site.btaVazrazhdane Delegation Leaving for Russia to Discuss Lukoil Sanctions, Leader Kostadinov Says

A delegation from Vazrazhdane is leaving for Russia to hold talks regarding the sanctions on Lukoil, party leader Kostadin Kostadinov told journalists on Wednesday.

"In this situation with fuels and Lukoil, the state should be the one to seek contact with the Russian side, but it won’t do that. That’s why we have initiated contact ourselves," he  explained. "We are in opposition, we don’t govern the country, but we represent the viewpoint of the majority of the Bulgarian people," Kostadinov added.

He said that the delegation will take part in a high-level forum on cooperation between BRICS and the European Union. "The big question is to what extent Russia will be willing to listen to us," the Vazrazhdane leader said. "Regardless of the outcome of the talks, we must explore all possible options," he added. "We will do everything in our power to present the viewpoint of Bulgaria’s national interest," Kostadinov said.

According to him, there are three possible solutions to the Lukoil situation, one of which is the exemption of Bulgaria from the sanctions. He suggested that Bulgaria could also choose not to comply with the sanctions, just as it does not enforce them against MRF-New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski, who is sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act. "If it’s not a problem for a person sanctioned under Magnitsky to help govern the country, then the sanctions on the Burgas refinery shouldn’t be a problem either," Kostadinov argued.

The Vazrazhdane leader further claimed that the sanctions are being used as a pretext to seize Lukoil’s assets in Bulgaria.

When asked whether his party still supports U.S. President Donald Trump, Kostadinov replied that they continue to support him, despite the sanctions against Lukoil, because "Trump demonstrates how to defend national interest and pursue an independent policy".