EU Voices Concern Over Potential Russian Gas Transit via Turkey

The EU is raising alarms over the possibility that Russian natural gas could continue flowing into the bloc covertly via Turkey, even after Brussels’ planned full phaseout of Russian energy imports by the end of 2027.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Politico.

Concerns stem from Turkey’s reluctance to align with the EU’s strategy to eliminate dependence on Russian fossil fuels. 

Ankara has signaled that it does not intend to adopt energy sanctions unless they are mandated by the United Nations Security Council.

Given Turkey's strategic role as a transit country for energy supplies to Europe, EU officials fear it could become a key loophole allowing Russian gas to re-enter the European market disguised as non-Russian imports.

In comments to Politico, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Ankara’s position that EU sanctions are a matter for the EU alone, stating that “unilateral sanctions pose risks to economies and increase energy insecurity for all.” 

The ministry emphasized that Turkey will abide only by internationally agreed sanctions through the UN.

This stance is prompting growing unease within the EU. Ville Niinistö, a Finnish MEP from the Greens and a leading figure in the European Parliament’s legislative work on the matter, warned that Turkey’s limited cooperation on transparency and monitoring could undermine the bloc’s efforts to enforce the upcoming ban.

“Turkey’s unwillingness to comply fully with EU monitoring provisions could pose significant obstacles to the implementation of the proposed regulation, especially as Turkey’s role grows as both a transit country and a potential hub for Russian gas,” Niinistö said.

He added that without adequate cooperation from Turkey, EU member states may lack the critical data needed to trace the origin of gas entering the bloc from Turkish territory.

Read more on The Gaze: Russian Threats to NATO and Europe in 2025