Return in Turkey's energy policy. Turns away from Russian gas

Türkiye makes a return in energy policy, increasing its own natural gas production and the import of this raw material from the USA, “Reuters agency said on Wednesday. This threatens the positions of Russian and Iranian exporters on their last large European market.

Russia's share in the Turkish gas market has fallen from over 60 percent. Two decades ago to 37 percent in the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, long -term delivery contracts 22 billion cubic meters. Gas annually through the Blue Stream and Turkstream gas pipelines expire in the coming years.

At a similar stage of implementation, Turkey's agreement with Iran – a contract for 10 billion cubic meters. It ends in mid -2026, and contracts with Azerbaijan for a total of 9.5 billion cubic meters, which expire in 2030 and 2033.

Ankara will probably extend some of them, but experts predict that she will strive to obtain more flexible conditions and smaller volumes to increase the diversification of deliveries.

The US has been pressing allies for months, including Turkey belonging to NATO, to limit energy cooperation with Russia and Iran. During the meeting at the White House, September 25, US President Donald Trump was to call Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to further reduce the purchases of Russian gas.

The first effects can already be seen. Türkiye began to increase domestic gas extraction and look for alternative suppliers. In recent months, the government in Ankara has signed contracts for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) with American companies with a total value of $ 43 billion.

According to the calculations of the Reuters agency, domestic production and contracted LNG imports are to increase from the current 15 billion cubic meters. to over 26 billion cubic meters. annually in 2028. This means that by this time they will cover more than half of their demand for natural gas.

The return in energy policy can significantly limit the share of Russia and Iran in the Turkish Market Square, which is the last large recipient of their raw material in Europe. According to Aleksiej Belgoriev from the Moscow Institute of Energy and Finance in theory, the State Turkish energy concern Botas could even end imports from Russia in the perspective of two or three years.

– But he won't do it, because Russian gas is competitive in price and allows you to exert pressure on other suppliers – added Belgoriew in an interview with the Reuters agency.

According to experts, Türkiye will import Russian and Iranian gas for internal needs, and exporting its own production. In this way, she will be able to expand to the European market, after in 2028 an EU ban on importing Russian energy raw materials will come into force. (PAP)

MWS/ AKL/