Alexander Nikolov rejects allegations of pressure from the Council of Ministers to pay for Russian gas in rubles

American liquefied gas tankers have already been unloaded. This was confirmed in the morning Sunday broadcast on bTV by the Minister of Energy Alexander Nikolov. He declined to comment on which pipeline the gas would be delivered on, saying "this is a sensitive issue". "The price is not related to where specific tankers are going", he said.

Deputy Minister Danailov was not aware of details of the gas talks. The energy minister also said on the occasion of the interview of his deputy Plamen Danailov (also from There are such people) for Euronews that the Ministry of Energy insisted on a "more balanced approach" and "to postpone the refusal of Russian gas supplies." According to him, the Ministry of Energy has complied with the decision of the Council of Ministers to pay for gas in rubles.

"Since there is such a decision of the Council of Ministers, this raises only the question of the extent to which EU member states or corporations have complied with certain requirements regarding sanctions," Nikolov added. "My personal position is that there is no ultimate value over human life. While the partner on the other side is unpredictable, there is simply no basis for negotiations," he said.

A day earlier, Deputy Energy Minister Danailov said in an interview with Euronews that it was appropriate to send an invitation to the Russian supplier.

"In my opinion, an invitation should be sent to Gazprom in order to continue gas supplies. To send an inquiry under what conditions it can continue, "Danailov said. According to him, this idea of ​​the Ministry of Energy has not met with support and this is one of the reasons for the rupture in relations with the coalition partners of "We continue the change".

Nikolov pointed to "three sets of motives" for resigning on Monday.

"I did not go to the polls, I did not seek public trust, nor did I generate such a resource. I don't think I have the right to step over it once I have a political decision," he said.

"The second aspect is that decisions in parliament are made at the political level. When there is such a decision, I think it is quite normal for it to be accepted, "he added.

"And the third group of factors, they are in a more personal capacity, are related to categories that are a bit forgotten, such as morality, loyalty, emotion, etc.," said Nikolov.

When asked "How did you find out that Slavi Trifonov is withdrawing you", he answered that he found out abroad during a meeting. "I found out during a meeting that was about cooperation between the Middle East, Africa and Europe against the background of the current energy crisis." Nikolov declined to say who informed him.

"Citizens' trust has been won by other people. I work with that trust. At least I am expected to forget this situation, "he added.

Asked whether he had spoken to Slavi Trifonov after the resignation decision, the minister said he had done so. "Of course I spoke. Part of the mythology is that some decisions are made. I have had very short and very clear conversations about the energy sector. They begin and end with the same sentence: "Do what you think is right and what is good for people."

According to him, it is speculation that in "There is such a people" the decisions are made unilaterally and specifically in his department this statement is absolutely unfounded.

Alexander Nikolov also admitted the opportunity for dialogue between Kiril Petkov and Slavi Trifonov.

According to him, there were many cases when he and Deputy Prime Minister Asen Vassilev were in very opposite positions.

"4 billion have not been drained. 4 billion have been paid. They include several basic items. The most important of them is the payment of compensation and keeping energy prices at tolerable levels," Nikolov said of Slavi Trifonov's allegations. "Assuming 'drained' is not the most accurate definition," he added.