Hardship in Bulgaria since Russia stopped gas

Russia halted natural gas deliveries to Bulgaria in April after the government in Sofia refused to pay in rubles. Bulgaria has been almost totally dependent on imports from Gazprom for most of its gas supply: the three billion cubic meter annual imports from Russia covered nearly 90% of Bulgaria's gas demand. Since then, Bulgaria has been struggling to find alternative options like Azeri gas or LNG gas from the United States to cover its needs. Experts fear that sharp price hikes or lack of supply would force them to limit production or stop work and add to the economic woes. In Bulgaria, the poorest among the European Union's 27 members, surging energy costs are forcing families to cut extra spending ahead of the coming winter months to make sure there is enough money to buy food and medicines.