Putin tells Erdoğan Russia could create ‘gas hub’ in Turkey

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that Moscow would consider developing a “gas hub” in Turkey, with Russia’s supplies to Europe disrupted by Ukraine-related sanctions and leaks at key pipelines, Agence France-Presse reported.

“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 Erdoğan at a face-to-face meeting in the capital of Kazakhstan.

Erdoğan has aimed to retain open dialogue with Russia and Western countries since the start of Russia’s invasion, despite an array of differences including conflicts in Syria and elsewhere.

“It would be a platform, not only for deliveries, but also for determining (gas) prices,” Putin said at the meeting with Erdoğan, adding that: “Today these prices are exorbitant and we could normally regulate this without any political overtones”.

Gas prices have skyrocketed since the beginning of Russia’s war and Europe has struggled to find alternative energy supplies after Russia strangled deliveries in response to Western sanctions.