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Ukraine's Parliament adopted on first reading a bill under which up to 49% of the country's gas pipeline network could be sold to foreign investors.
This could pave the way for US or EU companies, which have eyed Ukrainian gas transportation system over the last months.
Russian daily Vedomosti quotes Ukraine's Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan as saying the new legislation would contribute to a long-standing reform at the utility Naftogaz Ukraine (also among EU requirements to which billions-worth aid for the country is tied) and would also increase economic efficiency within the sector.
Two private joint stock companies are to be created out of the network so that efficiency of activities could be improved.
Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk was earlier quoted as saying that the bill would allow Kiev to "attract European and American partners to the exploitation and modernization of Ukraine's gas transportation," in a situation on Ukraine's energy market he described as "super-critical".
Critics of the bill have repeatedly pointed the West has long been interest in Ukraine's pipelines, with some seeing in the Ukrainian revolution a means to get access to the system.
On Friday, Ukraine also announced it agreed to pay USD 365-370 per 1000 cubic meters of gas from the EU.
This exceeds the USD 326 Kiev is ready to give for the same quantity of Russian gas, a price disputed by Russia which scrapped in April all concessions previously granted to the country and announced a 80% hike.
Kiev however is increasing EU-originated deliveries, with 315.8 million cubic meters from the West in May compared to 170 million during the previous month.
The caretaker government has approved a decision endorsing the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States and the Mercosur bloc
Several Gulf states have reported missile and drone strikes on their territories just hours after the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire agreement, raising fresh questions about whether the truce is holding on the ground
US Vice President JD Vance launched a sharp attack on the European Union during a visit to Budapest, accusing Brussels of interfering in Hungary’s election just days before a closely contested vote that could reshape the country’s political landscape
Global markets reacted sharply after US President Donald Trump stepped back from imminent military action against Iran, instead tying a suspension of strikes to Tehran’s agreement to a temporary ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
On the 40th day of the war, a tentative pause in hostilities has been announced, as US President Donald Trump said Washington would suspend its attacks after Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire
A leaked transcript of a phone call between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin shows Orban offering extensive support to Moscow and describing himself as ready to help “in any way” in relation to the war in Ukraine
Bulgaria’s fuel market has recorded a sharp upward shift since the outbreak of the war in Iran, with diesel and petrol prices rising significantly across the country
The second exploration drilling in the Krum-1 area of the Khan Asparuh block in Bulgaria’s Black Sea has also failed to identify commercially significant natural gas deposits, according to OMV Petrom
The Ombudswoman institution has voiced strong opposition to the proposed increase in heating prices in Sofia, which is expected to approach nearly 30 percent
The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) in Bulgaria has set the price of natural gas for April 2026 at 34.27 euros per megawatt-hour, excluding access, transmission, excise duties and VAT
Fuel prices in Bulgaria have recorded a sharp upward movement over the past month, with diesel showing the most significant increase, according to data from the Fuelo platform
Bulgargaz has defended its previously submitted proposal for a 5% rise in natural gas prices for April before the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, with CEO Veselin Sinabov stressing that there is currently no justification for any further increases
Aniventure Comic Con Returns to Bulgaria with Star Guest Christopher Judge!
Global Fuel Shock: Oil Jumps Over 40% Since Iran War Began
