Russia and Turkey are negotiating to maintain gas supplies from Gazprom and to renew two major contracts expiring on December 31. According to sources, the parties are considering keeping annual deliveries at around 22 billion cubic meters.
Analysts are skeptical about the future of this cooperation, given mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump’s administration, which seeks to limit purchases of Russian energy resources. This raises questions about the economic viability of importing Russian gas to Turkey, especially as the country is developing its own energy projects and diversifying supply sources.
Historically, Turkey has not supported sanctions against Russia and has maintained economic ties. Considerable sums of unknown origin have appeared in Turkish bank accounts, likely flowing from Russia, according to experts.
The gas issue is part of President Erdogan’s policy of balancing benefits from cooperation with Russia and the need to develop alternative imports from Azerbaijan and others through the Southern Gas Corridor. Despite inflationary pressures, Turkey receives substantial revenues from gas and oil trade and Russian tourism.
Gas supply issues are complicated by the fact that Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Russian gas pass through joint pipelines, making it difficult to track the source. Despite Western pressure, Russian gas prices remain competitive compared to American LNG.
Turkey’s stance remains pragmatic, balancing Western relations with economic gain from Russia. This affects not only bilateral ties, but also energy security and regional economies.
