At this stage, there is no procedure launched by the European Commission against Bulgaria, EC spokesperson Daniel Ferrie said. This is how he answered the question whether there was an investigation against the country due to reports that a loophole in the EU sanctions against Russia allowed the Lukoil refinery in Burgas to collect nearly 1 billion euros for the Kremlin's military needs, BNR correspondent in Brussels Angelina Piskova reported.

Information about an investigation against Bulgaria emerged late Thursday in Politico. Earlier, the media published information how the derogation allowing Bulgaria to import Russian crude oil until the end of 2024 helped the export of petroleum products.

Ferrie did not answer what the Commission would do if it turned out that as a result of the derogation, Lukoil circumvents sanctions, recalling that there are procedures in such cases.

• MPs call for immediate termination of derogation for Russian oil