Panev says Rumen Spetsov is logical pick for Lukoil

Bulgaria has appointed Rumen Spetsov as special manager for the Lukoil refinery, a decision Vladislav Panev from the Uskorenie Club described as logical despite initial surprise. Panev explained that Spetsov will primarily oversee financial transactions to prevent funds from reaching Russia while the existing management team continues operations. The former Green Movement parliamentarian noted that finding an international operator proved impossible, given only two weeks to respond to the crisis.

Authorities must guard against asset-stripping entities similar to those that exploited Bulgarian enterprises during the 1990s, Panev warned. He suggested two potential paths forward: either locating a purchaser sufficiently removed from Kremlin influence to satisfy American sanctions requirements, or compelling Lukoil to divest the Burgas facility through audits and penalties related to alleged tax evasion.

Bulgaria currently exercises sovereign control over refinery operations, though selling the privately held facility independently remains challenging regardless of recent legislation, according to Panev.