Russia says it will shift gas transit from Ukraine to Turkey

During a visit of the European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič to Russia on 14 January 2015, the country's authorities announced they would shift all its gas transit from Ukraine to Turkey. EU customers should therefore start buying this gas at the border with Greece.

Mr Šefčovič stated he was 'very surprised' by the Russian move. Russia had recently abandoned plans to build the South Stream gas pipeline via the Black Sea to Bulgaria, and blamed Sofia for having obstructed the project. Bulgarian Prime Minister has since then tried to coordinate the response with the European Commission [click here for more information on the subject]. The alternative to build a Turkish pipeline appeared following a visit of Russian president Vladimir Putin to Turkey.

ESO: Background information: The Russian-Ukrainian Gas Deal: Taking the Bite out of Winter? http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-russian-ukrainian-gas-deal-taking-the-bite-out-of-winter/

ESO: Background information: Russia confirms decision to abandon South Stream http://www.europeansources.info/record/russia-confirms-decision-to-abandon-south-stream/

EUObserver, 15.01.15: Russia to cut EU gas transit via Ukraine https://euobserver.com/news/127216

Deutsche Welle, 14.01.15: Gazprom warns Europe gas supplies via Ukraine still 'at risk' http://dw.de/p/1EKcO

Sputnik International, 16.01.15: Creation of Gas Hub in Turkey May Change Country’s Image in Europe: Experts http://sputniknews.com/analysis/20150116/1016951025.html

Gazprom: Gazprom Export: Turkey http://www.gazpromexport.ru/en/partners/turkey/

EUObserver [Opinion], 26.01.15: Does Russia's Turkey pipeline make sense? https://euobserver.com/opinion/127363

EUObserver, 25.01.15: EU sceptical on Russia's plan to build Turkey pipeline https://euobserver.com/news/127355

EurActiv, 04.02.15: Šefčovič: Turkish Stream ‘will not work’ http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/sefcovic-turkish-stream-will-not-work-311836

EUObserver, 04.02.15: EU says Gazprom’s Turkey plan 'won't work' https://euobserver.com/foreign/127499

EurActiv, 06.02.15: Russia sheds light on Turkish Stream project http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/russia-sheds-light-turkish-stream-project-311900

EUObserver [Analysis], 05.03.15: Can Russia's new Turkish gas project work? https://euobserver.com/economic/127877

EUObserver [Opinion], 13.03.15: Why Turkey is crucial to solving Europe’s gas conundrum https://euobserver.com/opinion/127981

EurActiv, 11.03.15: Political concerns mar Turkish Stream project http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/political-concerns-mar-turkish-stream-project-312815

EurActiv, 18.03.15: Putin, Erdoğan discuss Turkish Stream http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/putin-erdogan-discuss-turkish-stream-312999

Russia: President of Russia: News, 17.03.15: Telephone conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/23723

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