Russia capable of boosting gas supplies to Turkey via pipeline; other countries interested in LNG - Deputy PM Novak

MOSCOW. April 22 (Interfax) - Turkey has not requested LNG supplies from Russia, though there are opportunities to transport additional volumes via pipelines, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters.

"Turkey has not requested LNG supplies, because we have pipeline infrastructure that is not currently being fully utilized. If there is a need for additional volumes, then we have spare capacity via TurkStream and Blue Stream. Therefore, we are in ongoing contact with our Turkish partners. I visited Turkey in February, met with the energy minister, and we are in contact with him," Novak said.

Novak also said that there is currently high demand for LNG owing to the shortage because of the events in the Middle East.

"Therefore, Russian gas, liquefied natural gas, is in demand. It is clear that we have a number of projects that supply various consumers and customers. These are all commercial matters. Our companies independently determine where to supply. As I have already said, this is foremost based on the principle of long-term relationships and friendly, partnership-based relationships," Novak noted.

The latest statistics indicate that capacity was fully utilized to deliver pipeline gas from Russia to Turkey in January 2026, though pipeline utilization dropped to 45% in February. These are the latest available industry data.

Turkey has been focusing on developing LNG purchases on the global market, intentionally increasing its share in the gas import portfolio.

Turkey purchased 21.2 billion cubic meters of gas from Gazprom in 2025 and 21.4 bcm in 2024.