Lukoil refinery in Bulgaria granted right to buy oil from Swiss counterparties

Lukoil refinery in Bulgaria granted right to buy oil from Swiss counterparties Evgeny Simeonov, trading asset manager at the Lukoil Neftohim Burgas refinery, clarified that the facility will be able to purchase oil from any counterparty registered in Switzerland starting July 1SOFIA, June 30. /TASS/. The Lukoil Neftohim Burgas refinery will be able to purchase oil from any counterparty registered in Switzerland starting in early July, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment, and Industry Alexander Pulev announced at a briefing. The announcement followed talks with representatives of Litasco (the refinery's owner), which were also attended by Prime Minister Rumen Radev. "We held a constructive meeting with Litasco and reached an agreement on the operations of the company, which owns Lukoil's assets in Bulgaria. Some of the legal obstacles that significantly limited oil supplies and the price competitiveness of end products are being lifted," the Deputy Prime Minister said. Evgeny Simeonov, trading asset manager at the Lukoil Neftohim Burgas refinery, clarified that the facility will be able to purchase oil from any counterparty registered in Switzerland starting July 1. "This is a major victory that will help stabilize the plant's operations. Previously, due to market volatility, we processed heavier crude oil grades, which caused disruptions in the refining system and hampered operations," he explained. "We held our first open and constructive discussions with the government and achieved optimal solutions on the issues raised. Litasco aims to maintain this cooperative approach, so we agreed to lift the existing restrictions on oil purchases. The company will continue to seek a reliable solution that protects its economic interests and supports Bulgaria's energy sector," said Litasco spokesperson Inna Dariy. Pulev added that "the first step has been taken toward reaching a pre-trial settlement and dismissing the arbitration dispute." In November 2025, Bulgarian authorities passed a law placing Lukoil Neftohim Burgas, Lukoil Bulgaria EOOD, and other Lukoil Group entities operating in the country under external management. The transition took effect on November 17, 2025. The company emphasized that these measures significantly impacted Litasco's investments in its Bulgarian subsidiaries, resulting in substantial losses. Consequently, claims totaling approximately €3 billion were filed against Bulgaria, which the company is prepared to pursue in international arbitration court. TagsBulgariaLukoilRussian labor market cooling down — economy ministerMaxim Reshetnikovm said the situation varies greatly and is fragmented across different sectors of the economyRead moreExpert identifies most dangerous asteroid to approach Earth in 2028According to Yevgeny Burmistrov, close attention is directed at the recently discovered asteroid called 2024 YR4, which is estimated to possibly enter Earth's atmosphere on December 22, 2032Read moreAir pollution from fires in Chernobyl in Kiev Region registeredThe fires started on June 25, 2026Read moreLukashenko to make working visit to Myanmar — ministryThe Belarusian leader will pay a working visit to the Asian republic at the invitation of President Min Aung HlaingRead moreRussia to open diplomatic missions in Gambia, Liberia, Togo, Union of Comoros — LavrovThe Russian foreign minister added that a new department for partnership with Africa was establishedRead morePress review: Ceasefire strain amid US-Iran tensions and Finnish nuclear plans near RussiaTop stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 29thRead moreRussian troops liberate three communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brassRussia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 175 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreExpert does not rule out resumption of steady oil supplies through Hormuz by early AugustAccording to Alexey Belogoryev, uncertainty on the market persists because of the situation surrounding US-Iran negotiations, although market participants have already partially adapted to geopolitical risksRead moreWest's coercive policies undermine global stability — LavrovThe Russian foreign minister called adherence to the UN Charter a guarantee of peaceful development for all humanityRead moreKremlin delivers remarks on Putin-Lukashenko talks, Ukraine dialogue channelsRussian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia's position on Ukraine, outlined by Vladimir Putin during his address at the Russian Foreign Ministry two years ago, remains unchangedRead moreUS waging proxy war on Russia in Ukraine, not taking steps to end it — former US lawmakerAs Marjorie Taylor Greene noted, the US has historically done that repetitively in many other countries, facilitating regime change and warsRead moreOmbudswoman’s office documents every account of torture in Ukrainian captivityYana Lantratova stressed that every report of torture, abuse, threats, unlawful detention, and other violations is taken up for actionRead moreWashington may pose military threat to Cuba — former US lawmakerMarjorie Taylor Greene called for the lifting of Washington's unilateral sanctions and trade embargo against CubaRead moreIN BRIEF: Putin comments on Russia’s strategic goals, security, Duma electionRussia is living through a crucial time, the head of state said, as he pledged that the security of the nation will be ensuredRead moreSix-month-old baby killed outside Moscow as Russia downs 419 Ukrainian dronesIn particular, UAVs were intercepted over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Krasnodar, Lipetsk, Moscow, Oryol, Rostov, Ryazan, Saratov, Smolensk, Tambov, Tver, Tula, Vladimir, Volgograd, and Voronezh Regions as well as the Republic of CrimeaRead moreUkraine’s population decreasing by 300,000 people per year excluding troops — expertVasily Voskoboynik added that millions of Ukrainians are currently abroad and are unlikely to return because they have already settled thereRead moreFrench politician accuses Kiev of plotting assassination attempt on entrepreneur in MonacoFlorian Philippot suggested that the attack on Vadim Yermolayev may have been financed "directly by Zelensky" and that "Ukrainian special services" or "pro-Ukrainian extremist groups" may have been involvedRead moreCzech government party wants to strip Zelensky of country's highest orderLower house of parliament deputy Jindrich Rejchl, who put forward the initiative, said he was inspired by Poland’s example.Read moreKiev’s criminal conduct behind infant death outside Moscow — KremlinDmitry Peskov stressed that everybody should know and remember thatRead moreSyrian president urges Israel to withdraw troops following strikes in southern countryAhmed al-Sharaa also condemned the recent actions of Israeli units in this territoryRead moreWitkoff, Kushner to travel to Doha for talks with Iran this week — White HousePress Secretary Karoline Leavitt added that technical talks will also be held in DohaRead moreRussia informs UN of identified suspects in strike on bus carrying Belarusian childrenRussia’s Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations Anna Yevstigneyeva emphasized that numerous pieces of evidence found at the attack site confirm the drone’s Ukrainian originRead moreRussia-Africa trade exceeded $27 bln in 2025 — LavrovThe top Russian diplomat stressed that Russia and the countries of the continent continue to enrich their cooperationRead moreArmenia to have to take into account Russia’s view on Trump Route — MFAThe Trump Route will pass through an area guarded by Russian border troops, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin saidRead moreRussian forces strike drone storage facility in KharkovSecondary detonations were detected at the facility, which confirmed that the premises of Megasklad were used for military purposes in the interests of the Ukrainian armed forcesRead moreExplosion rocks Monaco, at least three woundedTwo of the victims are in critical conditionRead moreRussian troops in Krasny Liman come across Colombian mercenaries fighting for UkraineThe commander of a motorized rifle battalion reported that Ukrainian forces in Krasny Liman are not attempting any counterattacks but are putting up sporadic resistance while hiding in basementsRead moreIraq ready to host US-Iran talks — envoyIraqi Ambassador to Russia Dr. Abdul-Karim Hashim Mostafa noted that it depends on the will and the wish of the US and IranRead moreGuterres says terrorists learn to new technologies"Terrorists have grown adept at exploiting emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and unmanned weapons," the UN secretary general saidRead moreParaguay’s national team defeats Germany, advances to World Cup Round of 16Paraguay’s players proved more accurate in the penalty shootout, winning 4-3Read morePutin convenes meeting of government officials, Russian oil majors on fuel situationThe Russian president authorized efforts to minimize the impact of Ukrainian terrorist attacks on Russian civilian facilitiesRead moreSerbian president announces plans to resign by fall, hold elections in 3-4 monthsOn June 27, Aleksandar Vucic announced that he would step down as president "in a few weeks" and pledged to help the ruling Serbian Progressive Party secure victory in the upcoming parliamentary electionsRead moreRussian forces strike Ukrainian army positions by FAB bombs in Zaporozhye, Sumy areasThe ministry uploaded video footage of Su-34 bombers destroying the designated targetsRead moreKiev to transform Ukraine into global criminal hub, working with cartels — Russian senatorEarlier, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service had reported that the Kiev regime is increasing cooperation with major Mexican drug cartels and shows tolerance towards the rising drug transit from Latin America to EuropeRead moreRussia calls for international attention to Kiev’s crimes — KremlinDmitry Peskov stressed that such crimes are conducted against civilian populationRead moreTop of EU filled with 'losers' — Otto von Bismarck's descendantWhat is needed today is real, effective policy that acknowledges what’s happening right now, Alexander von Bismarck saidRead moreUkraine as transit hub, Kiev’s cooperation with drug cartels: statements by SVRUkraine’s security agencies "deliberately show indulgence towards the increasing drug transit from Latin America to Europe"Read moreAeroflot maintains traffic forecast for 2026 at 2024-2025 level — chief executiveSergey Aleksandrovsky added that these are quite high figures given current conditionsRead moreConstruction of Kazakhstan's NPP with Rosatom to begin next year — TokayevAccording to the Kazakh president, the construction of the nuclear power plant is "a guarantee of the country's energy sovereignty and a reliable foundation for the energy-intensive digital economy of the future"Read moreLebanese army to be deployed along entire border with Israel — president"Israel must not obstruct this," Joseph Aoun saidRead moreMeeting with E3 ambassadors, Gyumri base, referendum on EAEU: senior diplomat’s statementsContacts through the human rights commissioners of Russia and Ukraine have turned out to be the only channel through which humanitarian issues can be discussed, Mikhail Galuzin notedRead moreIndia rejects media reports about Chinese army’s intervention into its border stateEarlier, Nah Welfare Society, a public organization in the state of Arunachal Pradesh representing interests of the Nah tribe, had reported an alleged Chinese military advance in the state’s Taksing CircleRead moreSeven US biolabs set up in Ukraine starting in 2005 under Yushchenko — politicianAccording to Viktor Medvedchuk, the agreement signed between the Pentagon and the Ukrainian Health Ministry provided for the collection and storage of dangerous pathogens in laboratories on Ukrainian territory, funded by the USRead moreRoscosmos, NASA define strategy for safe deorbiting of ISSThe report highlights that in May, international partners reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining ISS operations until 2030Read moreFrontline developments reinforce confidence that Russia’s goals to be achieved — KremlinRussia's position on the settlement is well known and remains consistent, Dmitry Peskov said Read moreAlmost all terms of contract for 90 MC-21 aircraft agreed upon — Aeroflot chiefThe lease rate will align with the company’s financial model, Sergey Aleksandrovsky saidRead moreGermany, Netherlands establish NATO tactical headquarters in EstoniaThe 1 German-Netherlands Corps will take over the organization and coordination of military exercises as well as the provision of security in the regionRead moreFrance, Oman to jointly participate in mine clearance operations in Hormuz — MacronAccording to the French president, the two leaders also agreed to continue efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle EastRead moreRussian troops begin fighting for Osykovo northwest of Konstantinovka in DPR — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, the Ukrainian army is beginning to face elements of a collapsing front line in this directionRead moreTokayev shares his impressions of his visit to Brussels with Putin — KremlinFollowing the visit, Kazakhstan signed commercial agreements and memorandums with the EU worth a total of over $12 billionRead moreZelensky moves to real terror against Belarus — deputy foreign ministerMikhail Galuzin said the Kiev regime intentionally attacked an absolutely peaceful objectRead moreUK, France, Germany chose unacceptable approaches to Ukraine — senior diplomatMikhail Galuzin emphasized that he had articulated Russia’s stance to ambassadors to the European trio during a recent meeting in the Foreign MinistryRead moreEurope has injected only one-third of the gas volumes needed for winter by end-JuneInjection rates this year have been significantly affected by Europe's lost battle with Asia for available LNG volumes during the Middle East conflict, higher fuel prices and extreme heat in JuneRead morePress review: Peace in Lebanon under threat and Germany readies military draft returnTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 30thRead moreKiev engulfed in acrid cloud from Chernobyl, fresh air is gone — journalistLevels of harmful particles are exceeding safe limitsRead moreRussian artillery crew destroys Ukraine’s heavy drone command post in Krasny LimanReconnaissance units reports that a Baba Yaga drone has landed, and operators rushed to fetch itRead moreIraq would like to join BRICS — envoyIraqi Ambassador to Russia Dr. Abdul-Karim Hashim Mostafa pointed out that Iraq's potential accession to BRICS depends on a lot of things, on how the organization is organized and what is the condition to be part of BRICSRead moreIN BRIEF: No injuries reported as Russia downs total of 209 Ukrainian drones overnightAs many as 29 UAVs were downed in Sevastopol over the past day, Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev saidRead moreQatari MFA announces communication channel to prevent escalation in Strait of HormuzQatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari did not disclose any technical detailsRead moreIraq opposes Israeli aggression in Lebanon — envoyIraqi Ambassador to Russia Dr. Abdul-Karim Hashim Mostafa stated that Iraq was always against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, of Lebanese territories and the Israeli aggression on LebanonRead moreChild’s death in Moscow Region, discussions on fuel imports: topics of Kremlin’s briefingDmitry Peskov emphasized that the death of a child in Yegoryevsk, near Moscow, due to a drone attack is the result of the Kiev regime's actionsRead moreHungarian government analyzing financial aspects of Paks-2 NPP project — MagyarHungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated that the previous government led by Viktor Orban left the state budget "in a terrible state" and with a deficit that could approach 7% of GDP by the end of the yearRead moreRefineries operating at maximum capacity, Russian market becoming saturated with fuelAll major suppliers are carrying out seaborne shipments of diesel and gasoline to the Kaliningrad RegionRead moreUS may sell F-35s to Turkey if Ankara transfers S-400 systems to ‘third country’ — mediaAccording to the report, South Korea has been mentioned as a possible destinationRead moreGerman police identify Stade shooting suspect as 45-year-old man of Turkish descentAccording to head of the Luneburg Police Directorate Kathrin Schuol, "all the victims were employees of the social welfare facility or of child protective services"Read moreWorld central banks intend to reduce dollar share in reserves — ReutersCentral banks plan to increase their holdings of gold and are showing heightened interest in several other reserve currenciesRead moreFinland lifting its ban on nukes requires Russian response, diplomat saysMaria Zakharova lambasted the move as unfounded, given repeated statements from leading Finnish politicians and relevant agencies in the Nordic country that Russia does not pose a direct military threat to FinnsRead moreGrowth in trade between Russia, India creates new business opportunities — trade missionThe volume of trade between the countries exceeds $70 bln, Russia’s Deputy Trade Representative in India Evgeny Griva saidRead moreRussia says does not accept ultimatums, not to allow decisions to be imposed on itselfRussia’s acting permanent representative to the United Nations Anna Yevstigneyeva also noted that the Western members of the UN Security Council, whose governments supply weapons to the Kiev authorities, are direct accomplices in the crimesRead moreExpansion of NATO infrastructure in East Asia aimed against China, Russia — expertDmitry Kiku pointed out that NATO’s strategy "will not yield the necessary result as China has made significant progress in developing its naval component"Read moreUkraine’s Hornet attack UAVs shot down over Novorossiya highway — Russian Defense MinistryAccording to the ministry, air defense personnel employed small arms fire and aerial ramming tactics to down the dronesRead moreUkraine shells Novaya Kakhovka district of Kherson Region more than 460 times over weekThree civilians were injuredRead moreRussian troops liberate Bogodarovka community in Dnepropetrovsk Region over past dayRussia’s Battlegroup East inflicted more than 485 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreUkraine forms 'cult of betrayal,' erects monument to Mazepa — MP"Zelensky's actions to erect a monument to the traitor Mazepa in Kiev fully fit into his collaborationist logic," Mikhail Sheremet saidRead moreBelarusian Deputy Foreign Minister tells Ukraine not to cross border 'red line'Igor Sekreta emphasized that in case of a border violation, Belarus would respond with full forceRead moreUkrainian attacks kill over 40 Russians, including two children, over week — diplomatRodion Miroshnik emphasized that the Ukrainian armed forces attacked medical facilities and emergency vehicles as wellRead moreCommissioner informs Putin on Kursk Region residents return, foreign media in StarobelskThe Russian president noted that Yana Lantratova has actively started working as the commissioner for human rightsRead moreEuropean Gymnastics postpones decision on use of Russian flag at tournamentsThe General Assembly was originally scheduled for June 29Read moreMexican drug cartels help finance sabotage operations against Russia — expertAt the same time, Ukraine's effectively uncontrolled port infrastructure, currently under the supervision of the Kiev regime and operating with virtually no customs or border procedures, is being widely used, Alexander Stepanov saidRead moreIran, China unlikely to be thrilled about creation of Trump Route in Armenia — Russian MFAAccording to Mikhail Galuzin, recent events demonstrate that the prospects for implementing the Trump Route project are mixedRead moreIN BRIEF: Putin’s key statements on proposal to limit combat zone, special op progressThe Russian president said that Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s infrastructure do not affect the situation at the front or the position along the line of engagementRead moreZelensky’s 'pantheon of heroes' move will cost Ukraine — former Polish PMMateusz Morawiecki clarified that "the cult of the UPA" did not strengthen Ukraine, but rather, it weakened its authority, complicated relations with allies, and distanced Ukraine from Western integrationRead moreRussian specialists create micro helicopter to overcome minefields and water obstaclesThe new technologies made it possible to combine the maneuverability of an ATV and a helicopterRead moreISU allows Russian athletes to compete in tournaments under neutral statusThe press release emphasized that athletes or team members are not eligible to compete as neutral athletes if they are on active duty in the armed forces or security agencies of Russia or BelarusRead moreUS will support efforts to restore unity in Libya — top diplomatUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he had discussed with Deputy Commander of the Libyan National Army Saddam Haftar "unifying Libya's military and building the conditions for lasting peace"Read moreRussian artillery destroys two Ukrainian army deployment sites near KonstantinovkaAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, artillery crews of the 6th Motor Rifle Division are conducting combat operations in the Konstantinovka direction round-the-clockRead moreExtensive economic growth has been exhausted, new technologies needed — Sberbank CEOGerman Gref stressed that investments are needed to implement new technologiesRead moreRussian FPV drones destroy Ukrainian robotic vehicles near Krasny LimanA Molniya-2 drone crew of the Battlegroup West destroyed a camouflaged Ukrainian UAV control post in the Krasny Liman directionRead moreRussian farmers have harvested over 1 mln tons of grain from new cropThe average yield is one and a half times higher than at the same time last yearRead moreState Duma lauds Vatican's criticism of EU's policy of double standardsFirst Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Development of Civil Society, Public and Religious Associations Nikolay Novichkov noted that neither the European Union nor the United States are waging "fair or humane wars"Read moreUS receives more than $6 billion from NATO arms procurement for Ukraine — envoyMatthew Whitaker said that the US intends to continue the PURL programRead moreTrump demands lower gasoline prices in US, warns retailers of major consequencesThe US leader stated that companies engaged in retail gasoline sales in the United States should immediately reduce pricesRead moreRussia passed 30 laws to support special military operation veterans in 2025 — PMMikhail Mishustin thanked Deputy Speaker Inna Svyatenko, who actively worked on the creation of a working group on legislative support for the rights of defenders of the FatherlandRead moreKiev loses 10,000 troops, mercenaries over week — military expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, the trend towards the growth of losses among the Ukrainian military personnel has been observed for the sixth consecutive weekRead moreProtection against UAV attacks, AI use: statements by Russia’s defense chiefAndrey Belousov said that Russia is actively introducing artificial intelligence systems in its air defenses and the results will be seen by NovemberRead moreWitkoff, Kushner to discuss Iran deal with Qatari PM in Doha — AxiosThe US-Qatari meeting will come as part of Doha consultations between Washington and Tehran, announced earlierRead moreScientist names likely scenario of Tunguska space object impactThe Tunguska space object was most likely a fragment of a comet’s icy nucleus, Sergey Yazev saidRead moreWars abroad now merely business for US defense industry, its supporters — former lawmakerMarjorie Taylor Greene described the American military-industrial complex as a true evilRead moreUpcoming US-Iranian consultations may be important — TrumpThe US leader made it clear that the consultations will, among other things, touch upon the question of the Iranian nuclear programRead moreUkrainian authorities once again report difficult situation in DruzhkovkaThe city has absolutely no gas, water and power supply, Vadim Filashkin saidRead more