Leaked emails from Russian politicians have stirred controversy, revealing that the Kremlin had full control over the construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline in Bulgaria from 2019 to 2021.
Despite Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov’s assertions that the project was under the Bulgarian government’s jurisdiction, leaked documents suggest otherwise.
The Turkish Stream pipeline, designed to transport Russian gas to Serbia and Hungary, has been a focal point of discussion.
Recent reports indicate that it will be the sole pipeline carrying Russian gas to the EU starting in 2025.
The leaked documents, obtained from the emails of Russian politicians like Alexander Babakov, who has faced sanctions for Russian aggression, shed light on the extent of Russian involvement.
They indicate that Russia assumed control of the project during the last GERB government’s tenure from 2018 to 2020.
The process involved a tender initially won by a Saudi consortium, Arkad, in 2019. However, agreements were made to transfer control to Russian entities through subcontractors, raising questions about political approval and transparency in the process.
Construction progressed swiftly during Borisov’s tenure, outpacing other gas infrastructure projects in the region.
While the European Commission has not received formal complaints or launched investigations, questions remain about the integrity of the procurement process and the extent of Russia’s influence over vital energy infrastructure in a NATO member state.
