Turkey to procure Russian diesel under US-brokered agreement

Turkey will receive a portion of Russian diesel supplies destined for international markets as part of a deal negotiated between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia. Turkish Minister of Energy Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed the arrangement in an interview with Kanal 7, noting that the agreement is vital for Turkey's energy security. While the specific quantities and timelines for delivery remain undisclosed, the deal follows recent Russian export restrictions on diesel. President Trump had previously announced the agreement on October 9.

The announcement has drawn significant criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European officials, and several Republican politicians in the United States. Despite the geopolitical backlash, Turkey continues to pursue efforts to diversify its energy sources, moving away from its traditional reliance on countries like Iran and Azerbaijan.

In addition to the diesel agreement, Bayraktar outlined Turkey's domestic energy goals. The government plans to deploy a second floating production platform in the Black Sea by the first quarter of 2028. This expansion aims to boost daily natural gas production to 45 million cubic meters, building upon the capacity of the current 'Osman Gazi' platform.