The Turkey Briefing: Erdogan considers Russian gas offer
Putin’s offer to set up a natural gas hub in Turkey in a bid to reroute its gas supplies to Europe has generated more nuanced reactions in Ankara.
Welcome back to the Turkey Briefing newsletter. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to set up a natural gas hub in Turkey in a bid to reroute its gas supplies to Europe has generated slightly nuanced reactions in Ankara.
Leading the Week
While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his full support for Putin’s offer to set up a gas supply hub in Turkey in a bid to redirect natural gas supplies to Europe, the country’s top diplomat struck a more cautious tone.
“Wherever the most suitable location is, we will, god willing, set up this distribution center there,” Erdogan told journalists on his return from Kazakhstan where he met with his Russian counterpart. “Our Energy and Natural Resources Ministry along with the Russian side will work on a study on the issue and submit it to us. Thereafter we will take the step. There will be no waiting,” he added.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, for his part, offered a more nuanced response, suggesting that European countries would also have a say in the matter.
