Bulgaria takes control of Russia’s Lukoil refinery under a new law

This step comes in response to the United States’ decision in October to impose sanctions on the giant Russian group, which raises concerns for the Bulgarian government because it may mean the cessation of the refinery’s work.

Russian Lukoil Refinery

Sources reported, according to Reuters, that Lukoil had begun diverting Caspian Sea oil flows from the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, to the port of Makhachkala to confront Western sanctions.

Last month, the United States and Britain imposed sanctions on Russia’s second-largest oil company, hampering its normal operations.