Türkiye opposes sanctions on Russian gas because it will not be able to replace Russia’s supply in the medium term, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar told reporters, RTR reports.
“We are against any decision that affects the flow of gas from Russia. “If these sanctions go that far, we say they will harm Turkey’s economy, homes and 85 million people.” – said Bayraktar.
The minister emphasized that Türkiye is “the fourth largest gas market in Europe” and Russia is one of the main gas suppliers to the republic. He also spoke about the transit of gas through Ukraine to Europe, whose agreement will cease to be in force at the beginning of 2025: “Turkey is willing to make its contribution, but I think it can be expanded.”
Expanding transit will be beneficial for Europe, but it is unknown how payments for Russian gas will be made, said the head of the Turkish Energy Ministry.
Gazprombank was subject to US sanctions on November 21, 2024. Through it, according to the decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin, payments in rubles for gas are made to hostile countries. Agreements with Türkiye were also blocked. Ankara is negotiating with the United States on the possible lifting of bans on its interaction with Gazprombank (GPB), so that the republic can continue using the Russian bank to pay for gas imports.
The gas transit contract concluded in 2019 between Moscow and kyiv expires at the end of 2024. Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly ruled out extending the agreement with Gazprom. The European Union said that they were also not interested in this, RBC recalls.
