Putin speaks about the "Turkish Stream"

During today's traditional press conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the head of state, responding to a question about the plans for gas exports in the conditions of rejection of "South Stream", spoke about the details of the planned pipeline to Turkey, that has become known informally as "Turkish Stream." According to Putin, there are no plans to make this pipeline a full replacement for "South Stream" as a guarantee of gas supplies to Europe.

Firstly, the President recalled that the developing Turkish economy today needs more energy resources, and this need will only grow in the future. "We built the "Blue Stream", through which our gas goes to Turkey, and our Turkish partners now raise the question of how to increase gas supplies to the domestic market of the country. We have already all agreed on the price formula and schedule of deliveries, we understand Turkey's needs and will continue to sell it gas, which will also be implemented through the new pipeline," Putin said.

In this case, the fate of the gas hub on the border with Greece is not yet defined. "Is a European hub possible? It all depends on our European partners. If they want to be guaranteed clear shipments from Russia, which are direly needed, without transit risks, we will work with them. From Greece our gas may go to Macedonia, Serbia, can go to the Baumgarten as well. If they do not want to - we won’t work with them. I emphasize that there are no cheaper and more reliable deliveries expected than from Russia, not in the long term," Putin pointed out.