Bulgaria will not ask for an exception to the reduction of gas consumption by 15% proposed by the European Commission in the package of measures called "Save Gas for a Safe Winter," a BNR source in Brussels said.

On July 26, energy ministers of EU Member States discuss energy security measures before the winter. The proposal of the European Commission received a lot of criticism from ambassadors, especially from those of the southern European countries, which rely on much less Russian gas and for them a 15% reduction in consumption is too much,  Reuters reported.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of the reduction of Russian gas deliveries via Nord Stream 1. Starting July 27, Germany will be receiving just 20% of the agreed volumes. Gazprom says the reason for the reduction was repair work being done. The news led to an increase in the price of gas by more than 10%.

Gazprom sharply increased the pressure in the main gas pipeline to Europe through Ukraine without prior notice, which is a prerequisite for an accident, UNIAN reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of using gas as a way to terrorize Europe. He called on the EU to impose tougher restrictions on Russia in its upcoming 8th package of sanctions.