Putin's proposal that would turn Turkeye into a gas hub for Europe

Russian President floated the idea of exporting more gas through TurkStream gas pipeline running beneath the Black Sea to Turkeye. Erdogan said that Russian and Turkish energy authorities would work together to designate the best location for a gas distribution centre, adding that Turkey’s Thrace region, bordering Greece and Bulgaria, appeared to be the best spot.

“Together with Mr Putin, we have instructed our Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the relevant institution on the Russian side to work together,” said Erdogan.

This was Erdogan’s first public statement on the Russian proposal, reflecting Turkey’s long-voiced desire to become an energy hub.

“There will be no waiting,” Erdogan said. Germany this week rejected another proposal by Putin to step up gas flows to Europe via a link of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline under the Baltic Sea-a pipeline that has never been operational. Moscow cut off the parallel Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline over what it claimed were technical problems.