Putin’s 'gas hub’ plan aims to bolster Erdogan's image
Erdogan has accepted Putin’s offer to create a “gas hub” in northwest Turkey. But what is a gas hub? Is it workable? If realized, what impact would it have?
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to set up a “gas hub” in northern Turkey grabbed headlines following his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but the offer, which has been under discussion for over a decade, amounts to little more than window dressing.
Exports of Russian gas to Europe have dropped to a fraction of normal levels, and with Moscow warning, or more accurately threatening, further cuts, much of Europe is facing the likelihood of widespread gas and power cuts.
Turkey, however, is not only not facing such cuts, but it has also been praised by Putin for being Russia’s "most reliable partner" for Russian gas exports to Europe as a reward for which it has been offered the chance of hosting a gas hub.
The idea of Turkey as a hub for gas exports from regional gas producers has been under discussion for over a decade.
