WhatsApp Logo Subscribe
For News Alert

News

Erdogan blames Europe s energy crisis on Russia sanctions

September 6, 2022 03:54 PM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday blamed Europe's energy crisis on sanctions it imposed on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine -- a line taken by the Kremlin itself.

Erdogan has maintained good working relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin while trying to stay neutral in the conflict and supplying Ukraine with Turkish weapons and combat drones.

He told reporters before departing for a three-nation swing through the Balkans that European nations were "harvesting what they sowed" by imposing economic restrictions on Russia.

"Europe's attitude towards Mr Putin, its sanctions, brought Mr Putin -- willingly or not -- to the point of saying: 'If you do this, I will do that,'" Erdogan said.

"He is using all his means and weapons. Natural gas, unfortunately, is one of them."

Erdogan's comments echo those expressed by the Kremlin this week.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday blamed Russia's halt of gas deliveries to Germany via the Nord Stream pipeline on "sanctions that were imposed against our country".

Russia accounted for nearly half of Turkey's own natural gas purchases last year.

Turkey pledged to slowly transition to paying for the Russian imports with rubles at a summit between Erdogan and Putin in Sochi earlier this month.

Analysts believe the deal will ensure that Russia will continue to supply Turkey with gas through the TurkStream pipeline running under the Black Sea.

Erdogan said he did not expect Turkey to experience any energy shortages this year.

"I think Europe will have serious issues this winter," Erdogan said. "We do not have such a situation."

The spike in global energy prices caused by Russian supply disruptions has stoked an economic crisis in Turkey that has seen annual inflation soar to 80 percent and the lira plunge in value.



Most Read

  1. Currency exchange dealer, guard shot dead by rivals in Islamabad Currency exchange dealer, guard shot dead by rivals in Islamabad
  2. Two girls, boy die after drinking toxic alcohol at Islamabad dance party Two girls, boy die after drinking toxic alcohol at Islamabad dance party
  3. The Body Shop rescued from administration after deal The Body Shop rescued from administration after deal
  4. Former PTV MD Athar Waqar Azim passes away Former PTV MD Athar Waqar Azim passes away
  5. BISE Lahore postpones Matric paper fixed on September 17 BISE Lahore postpones Matric paper fixed on September 17
  6. Several outgoing flights at Karachi airport cancelled again Several outgoing flights at Karachi airport cancelled again