US Ambassador Pressed Bulgaria to Buy LNG Through Greek Company

Key Points:

• The U.S. has urged Bulgaria to buy billions of dollars of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a Greek company, Aktor, with U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle directly promoting Aktor as a partner during meetings in Sofia.
• Christos Marafatsos, a lobbyist for Aktor with no prior diplomatic or energy sector experience, frequently accompanied Guilfoyle to official meetings, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and the mixing of private business with U.S. diplomatic efforts.
• Aktor, in partnership with Greece’s state-owned DEPA, has signed multiple agreements with gas companies in Bulgaria, Ukraine, Albania, and other Southeast European countries to supply U.S. LNG as part of the Vertical Gas Corridor aimed at reducing Europe's dependence on Russian energy.
• Guilfoyle’s promotion of Aktor and close association with Marafatsos has drawn criticism from former U.S. officials and regional governments, with questions raised about whether her actions serve U.S. interests or private business interests.
• The investigation also highlighted Guilfoyle’s controversial public profile, her ties to the Trump family, and her influential role in the Balkans amid diplomatic vacancies, while the involvement of Marafatsos and Aktor has sparked political reactions and scrutiny in Romania and other countries.