Kremlin Says Putin Discussed Possibility Of Turkish 'Gas Hub' In Phone Call With Erdogan

Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed a proposal to create a Turkish "gas hub" during a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Kremlin said on November 18. Putin first floated the proposal to establish a gas base in Turkey in October as a means to redirect supplies from the damaged Nord Stream pipelines and export them on to the European market, an idea backed by Erdogan. The Kremlin said the two sides also discussed the agreed 120-day prolongation of the Black Sea grain deal that Ankara helped broker to ensure the safe passage of grain exports from blockaded Ukrainian ports. "Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the importance of a comprehensive and complete implementation of this 'package' agreement," the Kremlin said.