Eastern Mediterranean gas could replace Russia supplies to EU: Ankara

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Gas from the Eastern Mediterranean could replace the Russian energy supplies for the European Union, and Ankara is ready to take part in the process of pumping Mediterranean gas into Europe, the spokesperson to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ibrahim Kalin, told Reuters on Monday.

Kalin's words came as the EU is pushing for reduced dependence on Russian gas. He also stressed that Turkey was ready to help the 27-nation bloc.

Turkey's efforts to replace Russian energy supplies to Europe come as its regional rival, Greece, helps Russia bypass Brussels' sanctions on Russian oil. 

Russia's maritime crude oil traffic has largely remained unchanged since the European Union closed its ports for Russian tankers in April after Greece ignored EU calls to ban Russian oil imports.

Moscow has been shipping off 4.5 million barrels of oil worth $509 million per day, according to data obtained by Die Welt newspaper from London-based shipping monitor Lloyd's List.

Greece opposed a new draft package of sanctions against Russia in which chief EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen suggested a complete ban on Russian oil supplies, whether they come by land or sea.

Greece operates the world’s largest freighter fleet, and it has increased its share in Russia's maritime oil shipments by a factor of three year-on-year.

Though Athens was helping Russia, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said earlier this month that his country might be able to completely replace Russian gas in 20 months.

Greece is currently working on a floating terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Alexandroupoli, which will be finished in 20 months - it is scheduled to be launched in late 2022 to early 2023, with the supplies coming from US and Qatari companies.

Greece is part of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), which also includes Cyprus, Egypt, France, the Israeli occupation, Italy, Jordan, and occupied Palestine.

Israeli media had reported in late 2021 that Greece, Cyprus, and "Tel Aviv" were working on forming partnerships in the energy sector. 

Just last week, Cyprus, Greece, the Israeli occupation, and the United States agreed on boosting cooperation in various areas, such as energy, the four ministries of foreign affairs announced.

Gas prices soared in Europe in early March following reports on a possible ban on the purchase of Russian energy resources in the continent, reaching historical highs.

In late April, however, things took to a worse turn, with the World Bank saying it was expecting a twofold increase in gas prices, while coal prices are expected to increase by 80% in Europe in 2022.

The EU had declared preparations to join the United States and the United Kingdom in imposing an embargo on Russian energy products. However, unlike the United States and the United Kingdom, the European Union buys the majority of its energy supplies from Russia, and experts have warned that cutting off the supply may have disastrous consequences.

The US and its allies, following the start of the war in Ukraine, rolled out comprehensive sanctions, including restrictions on the Russian central bank, export control measures, SWIFT cutoff for select banks, and closure of airspace to all Russian flights. Many of their companies have suspended their Russian operations.