Bulgaria's return to Russian gas supply talks is 'inevitable' amid steep shortages, energy chief says

Rossen Hristov, Bulgaria's energy minister, said the country would likely go back to talks with Russia to resume gas deliveries.

Bulgaria's natural gas supply was cut off after it refused to pay in Russian rubles.

The Energy Minister Rossen Hristov said at a press event that talks with Gazprom to renew supplies are inevitable.

He didn't say when the country would return to talks with Russia, but he said it would be soon.

We'd have to turn to them now. The talks will be very difficult. By the end of the year, the nation's contract with Gazprom will be up.

Most of Bulgaria's gas needs are obtained on the open market.

Europe's main gas line will be shut down for three days later this month, sparking fears that Russia will choke off supplies in response to EU sanctions.