WSJ: U.S. Ambassador to Greece Reportedly Backed Bulgaria’s Purchase of American LNG

An investigation published by The Wall Street Journal and republished by leading Bulgarian news and analysis outlets claims that the United States pressured the government in Sofia to purchase billions of dollars’ worth of American liquefied natural gas (LNG). The effort was reportedly coordinated by U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle during an official visit to Bulgaria.

According to the WSJ, Guilfoyle reportedly directed Bulgarian officials to the Greek construction company Aktor, presented as a potential partner for supplying American LNG to Southeastern Europe. Aktor works with Greece’s state-owned energy company, DEPA, as part of a regional project.

During meetings with Bulgarian officials, the ambassador was accompanied by Christos Marafatsos, an Aktor lobbyist. He also attended a meeting with Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova and was reportedly mistaken by some officials for the ambassador’s chief of staff. According to the investigation, Aktor’s chief executive reportedly flew Guilfoyle to Bulgaria on a private jet.

Subsequently, the Greek company reportedly signed agreements with Bulgarian firms in the gas sector. A source quoted by the WSJ said that Guilfoyle’s recommendation in favor of Aktor represented “the official position of the U.S. government.” The investigation describes the ambassador, a former prosecutor and Fox News presenter associated with the MAGA movement, as one of the Trump administration’s prominent diplomatic figures.