Ankara - Istanbul, Dec 2 () - Turkey has been exploring new energy alternatives amid the ongoing diplomatic crisis with Russia, although officials continue to view any potential gas blockage by Russia as unlikely.
“I don’t think Russia will stop the gas flow to Turkey. But we need to be prepared for all possibilities. I have asked for Energy Ministry officials to work on various alternatives” Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said in an interview on Habertürk TV station on Dec. 1.
“We already buy gas from Iran. I’ll also visit Azerbaijan on Dec. 3. We’ll also assess several [liquefied natural gas] LNG alternatives. Upon the possibility of Russia’s gas flow blockage, a citizen from eastern Europe said, ‘We’ll burn dried cow dung if necessary, but we won’t allow the violation of our borders.’ I don’t say this would happen, but our nation is open to making sacrifices when necessary” Davutoğlu said.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan has said Ankara will not retaliate against Russia’s “emotional” sanctions.
“Russia is our strategic partner and we will continue to provide them with products, including food exports,” Erdoğan told a group of reporters on board his presidential plane, daily Hürriyet reported on Dec. 2.
“We have not always had natural gas… This nation is accustomed to hardship,” he added, while stressing Turkey had possible alternative gas suppliers to Russia.
