Türkiye seeks US exemption on Russia’s Gazprombank sanctions

Türkiye is requesting a waiver from the United States regarding sanctions imposed on Russia’s Gazprombank, which may impact Türkiye’s energy security.

The request, made by Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, comes in response to U.S. sanctions aimed at limiting Russia’s access to the global financial system.

Bayraktar emphasized that Türkiye needs continued access to Russian gas supplies, especially as winter approaches, and pointed to past exemptions granted to Iran as a precedent.

Türkiye’s request for Gazprombank sanction exemption

Minister Bayraktar expressed concerns over the potential impact of U.S. sanctions on Gazprombank, noting that such sanctions could disrupt Türkiye’s ability to pay for Russian gas.

He highlighted that if Türkiye is unable to make payments, it would not be able to secure necessary energy supplies for the upcoming winter months.

“Previously, when there were sanctions on Iran, there was an exemption for natural gas. We are asking for a similar arrangement with the United States regarding Russian gas,” Bayraktar explained.

Importance of energy security for Türkiye

Bayraktar underscored the critical role of energy security in Türkiye’s economic and industrial stability. “Industries need gas, and in terms of supply security, we need Russian gas,” he said.

The Minister also warned that without an exemption, Türkiye’s energy supply could be jeopardized, impacting both industrial and residential energy needs.

The Minister also noted that these sanctions would not target Türkiye directly, but the country would be severely affected if no exemption is granted. “If this exemption is not given to Türkiye, it will directly affect our country,” Bayraktar emphasized.

Timing of US sanction decision

Bayraktar raised concerns about the timing of the U.S. sanctions, which were imposed shortly before the Biden administration’s transition to the Trump administration. He pointed out that while sanctions can be quickly implemented, removing them can take much longer.

“The unfortunate part is that sanctions can be imposed overnight, but lifting them may take much longer,” Bayraktar noted.

Cayirhan Thermal Power Plant privatization plans

In addition to discussing energy security, Bayraktar also addressed the privatization of the Cayirhan Thermal Power Plant. He said that discussions with the plant’s union were ongoing, acknowledging concerns raised by workers.

The Minister emphasized that the government is committed to resolving worker concerns to ensure a smooth privatization process while ensuring energy production remains stable.

Bayraktar reassured that the privatization of power plants, including those established since 2002, is part of Türkiye’s broader energy strategy, which relies heavily on private sector involvement.

Worker concerns at Cayirhan Thermal Power Plant

Bayraktar dismissed reports of potential hunger strikes by workers at the Cayirhan plant, saying that these claims were being exaggerated. He pointed out that most of the workers at the plant are not public sector employees and therefore fall outside the scope of public sector labor regulations.

“We must address any concerns they have in a well-structured manner,” he said.

Energy production and employment at Cayirhan

Bayraktar further emphasized the importance of increasing energy production at the Cayirhan Thermal Power Plant, especially as domestic coal production has decreased.

“In a period where natural gas is prominent, we need to increase our electricity generation from local coal,” he said. He called for increased staffing at the Cayirhan mine to boost local coal production.