Turkey is negotiating with the United States for an exemption from sanctions that would allow continued use of Russia’s Gazprombank to pay for natural gas.
Without this waiver, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar warned, “we will not be able to pay Russia,” adding, “If we cannot pay, we cannot buy goods.”
Bayraktar highlighted previous sanctions exemptions for Iran as a possible precedent, emphasizing the gravity of the situation: “If there is no exemption, this could mean something very serious for Turkey.”
Russia remains Turkey’s largest supplier of natural gas, accounting for approximately 42% of its imports last year, according to regulatory data. The country also relies heavily on Russia for other energy resources, including crude oil and nuclear power projects. A Rosatom-constructed nuclear plant is already underway, with negotiations ongoing for a second.
Turkey’s concerns mirror those of Hungary, another significant importer of Russian gas. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó criticized U.S. sanctions on Gazprombank, stating that regional countries would find ways to ensure gas deliveries. He made the comments during talks in Istanbul with regional energy ministers, including Bayraktar.
