Bulgaria鈥檚 PM: Energy sanctions 'would be a big problem'
Bulgaria鈥檚 new prime minister spoke to Hardtalk at time of heightened geopolitical tension in eastern Europe as a result of Vladimir Putin鈥檚 troop build-up on the border with Ukraine.
Kiril Petkov has positioned himself as a loyal supporter of Nato. Russia has demanded that the alliance remove its "forces, equipment and weapons" from Bulgaria.
Speaking to Stephen Sackur, Mr Petkov said that he wanted to 鈥渆xplore all the steps of diplomacy鈥� before Western nations imposed sanctions.
When it comes to the risk of Russia retaliating with energy sanctions, Mr Petkov said this 鈥渨ould be a big problem鈥� for his country but it could 鈥渟urvive鈥�.
The prime minister said that Bulgaria鈥檚 鈥済as dependency on Russia is more than double the average of Europe鈥�.
He called on the European Union and Nato to do their part to mitigate any sanctions Moscow might impose saying we have to be together with one voice when we speak to Russia.
Russia has denied it is planning to invade Ukraine.
