Russian Minister Says Moscow Could Cut Down Turkish Stream

While Russian officials say that Moscow is mulling economic restrictions on Turkey, Gazprom is flexing its muscles. The main producer of gas in Russia said its import substitution efforts are paying off. At the same time, it agreed to buy all the LNG from an export plant in Cameroon expected to start production in 2017, Reuters reported.

Russia's Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said on Thursday that Moscow might react to the downing of a Russian warplane by Turkey, considering to cut down the Turkish Stream gas pipeline. 

“This project is no different from any other… Just like any other project, it falls under the law on special economic measures,” Ulyukayev said, also referring to the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, currently under construction. 

The measure could imply more difficulties in dealing with the West. Logically, Gazprom continues its import substitution plan started this year meant to strengthen cooperation with Russian manufacturers. 

‘Gazprom has been facilitating the domestic industry development for a long time by giving priority to domestic goods. The import substitution activity is still in progress’ the company wrote on Wednesday.