South Stream gone but not forgotten in Turkish gambit
Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller (left) and Mehmet Konuk, chairman of Botas, sign the new 63 bcm pipeline deal for Turkey. (Gazprom)
Gazprom’s South Stream pipeline appears to be no more after Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined an alternative plan for a ‘gas hub’ on the Turkish/Greek border in Ankara on Monday – but such a sudden tilt south raises more questions than it answers.
“In view of the European Commission’s position, which is not facilitating this project... in connection with the fact that we have not yet received the go-ahead from Bulgaria, Russia cannot continue implementing this project under such conditions,” Putin said at a press conference in Ankara on Monday.