American Financiers Eye Bulgaria's Gas Storage for Eastern Europe Hub

In a strategic move, American financiers, backed by a former campaign manager of U.S. President Donald Trump, are engaging with Bulgarian authorities to discuss investing in the state-owned Chiren gas storage facility. The site is predominantly filled with Russian natural gas and represents a significant opportunity for energy trade in Eastern Europe.

Led by financier Stephen P. Lynch, who has shown interest in a key gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, the investors propose increasing Chiren's capacity. Partnering with Trump's campaign veteran Brad Parscale, the group aims to transform Bulgaria into a gas hub that can serve the energy needs of Eastern European countries.

The initiative emerges amid heightened tensions over European dependency on Russian gas imports. With the European Commission pushing for a Russian gas ban by 2027, Chiren's expansion could influence the region's energy strategy. Lynch's plans have stirred debate, reflecting broader geopolitical currents between the EU's policy and Eastern Europe's energy purchases.