Erdogan may visit Russia due to Turkish Stream launch

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may visit Russia in connection with the opening of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline this year, Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Samsar said.

"This year, the Turkish Stream is to be put into operation," he recalled. "In connection with its opening, a top-level visit to Russia may take place," Sputnik cited the envoy as saying.

The pipeline will have a maximum capacity of 31.5 billion cubic metres (1.1 trillion cubic feet) per year. The first leg will deliver Russian gas under the Black Sea to Turkey for local consumption by 1 January 2020. The second leg is expected to carry gas to Southern and Central Europe, but its route has not been determined yet.