By taking over the Balkan's largest refinery from Lukoil, Bulgaria has for now avoided punishing US sanctions against the Russian oil giant, which enter into force on Friday.

But what comes next for the crucial refinery on the outskirts of Bulgaria's Black Sea city of Burgas is uncertain.

- Why has Sofia stepped in? -

On October 22, Washington announced it would impose sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil to stifle the financing of Russia's invasion of Ukraine that started in 2022.

Among European Union members, Bulgaria took the hardest hit from the measure as it hosts Lukoil's largest refinery in the Balkans. Lukoil has owned the Neftochim plant since 1999.

Bulgarian authorities said the US sanctions would effectively shut the refinery down as all business partners have

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