Turkiye to not give up Russian gas despite US calls
Photo: Türkiye expanding LNG purchases and Black Sea gas production
Türkiye will continue to purchase gas from Russia, despite calls from the United States to halt imports of Russian energy resources. Ankara maintains that diversification of supplies remains a key part of its energy strategy but has no intention of abandoning its existing contracts, according to CNN TÜRK.
Amid talks in the United States, proposals were made for Türkiye to abandon Russian gas imports. However, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that such decisions were unacceptable. He emphasized that uninterrupted supply remains the country’s top priority, saying:
"We cannot tell our citizens that we’ve run out of gas. To ensure supply security, access to all energy resources must remain open, without exceptions."
Diversification strategy
Ankara stressed that its energy diversification policy has been in place since the 1990s. In recent years, Türkiye has expanded LNG terminal capacity from 30 to 160 million cubic meters, allowing it to increase imports of liquefied gas from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, Russian gas continues to play an important role in the national energy mix, especially during the winter season.
Black Sea projects and pricing
By 2026, Türkiye plans to double natural gas production in the Black Sea, providing fuel for millions of households. According to the Energy Ministry, gas in the US costs about $103 per thousand cubic meters, compared to over $400 in Europe, making American fuel more affordable. Nevertheless, Türkiye continues to rely on a mix of suppliers to keep prices stable.
Outlook
Ankara aims to maintain a balance between supplies from Russia, Azerbaijan, and other countries, while increasing domestic production. This approach, Bayraktar said, will reduce dependence on a single supplier and strengthen national energy security.
Meanwhile, National Intelligence Organization chief İbrahim Kalın has arrived in Qatar, where Türkiye is participating in negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Additionally, Türkiye has signed a multibillion-dollar deal with Boeing to purchase over 200 passenger aircraft, a move expected to significantly strengthen the country’s aviation fleet.
