Turkish minister: Europe may receive Russian gas via Türkiye

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has said that if Ukraine does not prolong the agreement on the transit of Russian gas, its deliveries to Europe will be carried out through the territory of Türkiye via the Turkish Stream gas pipeline.

The volume of such supplies is expected to be about 16 billion cubic metres per year, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“The gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expires on 31 December, the Ukrainian authorities earlier said they do not intend to extend it. If the agreement is not extended, Russian gas will flow to Europe through our territory via the Turkish Stream pipeline in volumes of 16 billion cubic metres,” Bayraktar said at a meeting with journalists.

Bayraktar did not rule out that Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas could lead to higher prices in Europe.

“We are working on diversification of gas sources and on additional gas supplies to Europe,” he said.