Russia's industry and economy ministry has confirmed that Ankara has asked for increased supplies of natural gas in the wake of some exceptionally cold weather in Turkey.
The Turkish energy minister Hilmi Guler has confirmed that he has held discussions with his Russian counterpart, Victor Khristenko.
Mr Khristenko’s ministry released a statement acknowledging that Russia already fulfills its gas export obligations to Turkey in full. Indeed, he asserted that more gas than normal was being pumped through the Blue Stream pipeline to the Bosporus region, and insisted that Russia was doing its utmost to maintain supplies to all its European customers.
However Mr Khristenko accused Ukraine of hampering Gazprom’s efforts by siphoning off more gas than agreed under its latest communique with Moscow.
Unfortunately, all the attempts to increase gas deliveries to Europe are offset by Ukraine taking more gas than agreed, Mr Khristenko said. I’m convinced that Ukraine has to limit gas consumption amid [difficult] weather conditions, as did Russia, Italy and other countries.