Putin warns of using TurkStream if Ukraine blocks gas transit to Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday that if Ukraine does not extend the Russian gas transit deal to Europe, Moscow will consider alternative routes. Options include using the TurkStream pipeline and, partially, the Blue Stream pipeline, which mainly serves domestic purposes.

Speaking at the main session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin also addressed various current topics, including the detention of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov in France, calling it “incomprehensible.” He noted that while Telegram is used in ways that can be harmful to the economy or security, all such platforms are guilty in this regard.

Putin emphasized that if the gas transit agreement with Ukraine, which expires at the end of this year, is not renewed, gas supplies to Europe will decrease, but he acknowledged that this would be Ukraine’s decision.