Turkey has postponed a portion of its payment for natural gas from Russia, delaying roughly 600 million dollars until 2024. The move comes amid a broader shift in energy markets where prices for gas and other fuels have surged, affecting how quickly Turkey can settle its bilateral energy accounts with Moscow. The timing of the payment pause aligns with what Kyiv and Moscow have discussed in ongoing negotiations about energy shipments and the financial arrangements tied to those transits. The delay represents a strategic choice within the framework of existing agreements, and it reflects the impact of high energy prices on Turkey’s fiscal planning for energy imports.
Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Dönmez has emphasized that the notable rise in energy costs played a central role in the decision to defer payments. He clarified that under the current agreement, Turkey can extend certain payments to Russia into the following year, allowing more breathing room in a period of volatile energy markets. This approach follows prior talks with Gazprom about adjusting the payment schedule in light of the sharp price increases observed in natural gas markets. The minister’s remarks situate the delay within the routine payment cycle managed by the Turkish Ministry of Finance and the Treasury, underscoring that the postponement is a formal facet of the fiscal management surrounding energy purchases rather than an exceptional gesture.
Dönmez also addressed a claim circulating about a supposed obligation to pay 20 billion dollars as a deferred gas payment after recent electoral events. He stated that such a figure has no foundation in the current arrangements and did not reflect the actual terms reached through negotiations with Russia. The government views the postponed amounts as part of a calibrated response to market conditions and the broader economic context, rather than a blanket promise to settle a fixed long-term debt with Gazprom. This clarification helps set expectations for Turkey’s energy import costs in the near term while avoiding speculation about large, lump-sum settlements that do not correspond to the existing framework. (Reuters)