Još od 1998. godine, kad je u Bugarskoj počela raditi firma Lukoil, Rusija lagano povećava svoju prisutnost i utjecaj na energetskim tržištima Balkana, otkupljujući kompanije širom regiona.
Since 1998, when Lukoil set up shop in Bulgaria, Russia has slowly increased its presence and influence in Balkan energy markets by buying companies throughout the region.