IP- Bulgaria has stopped imports of Russian oil ahead of schedule, ending its exemption from an EU ban on Russian crude.

Iran PressEurope: The decision follows reductions in imports in January and February. Bulgaria had been allowed to continue buying Russian oil until 2024 but decided to prematurely waive its exemption due to concerns about bypassing Western sanctions.

This move will impact the country's sole refinery, Neftohim, which is owned by Lukoil, the main supplier of gasoline in Bulgaria. The country's reliance on Russian oil and potential challenges in sourcing crude supplies once the EU exemption ends have raised concerns. 204

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