In light of the disruptions to Russia’s supplies to Europe caused by sanctions related to Ukraine and leaks at important pipelines, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Moscow would explore creating a “gas center” in Turkey.
“Turkey has turned out to be the most reliable route for deliveries today, even to Europe. We could consider the possibility of creating a gas hub in Turkey for supplies to other countries,” the Russian leader told Erdogan at a face-to-face meeting in the capital of Kazakhstan.
Despite a wide range of issues, including wars in Syria and elsewhere, Erdogan has attempted to maintain an open conversation with Russia and Western nations from the beginning of Russia’s invasion.
“It would be a platform, not only for deliveries, but also for determining (gas) prices,” Putin said at the meeting with Erdogan, adding that: “Today these prices are exorbitant and we could normally regulate this without any political overtones”.
