Defying US sanctions: Ankara and Moscow negotiate to extend gas agreements

Current contracts cover the supply of approximately 21.75 billion cubic meters of gas annually. Ankara and Moscow are seeking to maintain similar volumes, around 22 billion cubic meters per year, should the contracts be extended. According to data from the Turkish Energy Regulatory Authority (EMRA), Gazprom supplied Turkey with 21.6 billion cubic meters of gas in 2024, making Ankara the second-largest buyer of Russian gas after China.

The negotiations are taking place amid increasing US pressure on Turkey to reduce its purchases of Russian energy. This pressure follows recent sanctions on major Russian oil producers, which have prompted Turkish refineries to cut back on their imports of Russian crude. However, Turkey has signed new contracts to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), including from the United States. Furthermore, increased domestic gas production in the Black Sea is expected, which could give Ankara a stronger negotiating position for more favorable terms with Gazprom.