Putin explains why Turkey chosen as potential gas hub

Russia has chosen Turkey as a potential hub for gas supplies to Europe because working directly with European partners is hard, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on Monday.

"As for the choice of Turkey as a potential hub for supplies, in this case, to Europe, I think it’s clear why we are doing this, why we are proposing this. It’s because direct engagement with European partners is very difficult," the president said.

In Putin’s opinion, "in this sense, it is easier to work" with Ankara. "First of all, it’s because [Turkish] President [Tayyip] Erdogan is a man of word. Although it may sometimes be hard for us to come to terms, but if we agree on anything, we are trying to fulfill it. And, secondly, together it is easier for us to control the Black Sea area," the Russian leader added.

Putin expressed confidence that there would be enough buyers of natural gas, including in Europe, after the plan to build a hub in Turkey was completed.

"It [a gas hub in Turkey] is quite a realistic project, and we can do it fairly quickly. There will be enough of those who will want to conclude contracts. There’s no doubt about that," the president told reporters.

"I have no doubt many of them will be in Europe," the Russian leader went on. "We’ll see what happens this winter and the next. I’m sure contracts will be signed, no doubts about that. Anyway, we can use European countries as transit nations, for supplies to other regions of the world."