The security and geopolitics surrounding the TurkStream pipeline have recently come to the forefront of discussions about energy supplies to Central Europe, particularly after various threats have been reported. Péter Szijjártó, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, emphasized the pipeline's significance, calling it "indispensable" for ensuring gas supplies to the region.
The TurkStream pipeline, which carries natural gas from Russia through Türkiye and onwards to Southern and Southeastern Europe, has been praised for its reliability. Szijjártó noted, "The TurkStream pipeline is indispensable for ensuring Central Europe’s gas supplies," stressing the need for all parties involved to respect its security and operational integrity.
On January 11, 2024, Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, confirmed the occurrence of an attack on the pipeline. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported attempts to sabotage the compressor station supplying gas to the TurkStream using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Despite the alarming reports, Bayraktar reassured the public, stating, "There was no interruption in gas flow after the attack. The pipeline continues to deliver gas at the same capacity." This assuaged immediate concerns about energy supplies being affected.
The TurkStream pipeline operates two sections: one serves Türkiye directly, and the other supplies European countries, with the total project capacity reaching 31.5 billion cubic meters annually. For 2024, reports indicate gas shipments through TurkStream are set to rise by 23%, totaling 16.7 billion cubic meters. This increase highlights the pipeline's growing importance as other routes, particularly through Ukraine, face complications.
Former General Manager of BOTAS, Gokhan Yardim, affirmed the strategic importance of TurkStream, noting, "By 2025, TurkStream remains the only pipeline route supplying Russian natural gas to Europe through Türkiye." Currently, the pipeline has emerged as the main corridor for delivering Russian gas following the expiration and non-renewal of contracts allowing for transport through Ukraine.
Yardim elaborated on the path of the pipeline, explaining, "After Türkiye, the pipeline, known as the Balkan route, carries gas through Bulgaria and Serbia to Hungary." He emphasized the interconnectedness of the energy market among these regions by mentioning the pipeline connection between Hungary and Slovakia, which could potentially facilitate the trading of Russian gas across Central Europe.
Hungary is particularly vulnerable to energy security threats, and Szijjártó underscored this by asserting, "The security of the energy supply was a matter of sovereignty," expressing how any hindrance to this infrastructure could be viewed as an attack on national sovereignty. The TurkStream pipeline's continued operational success is not just about gas supplies; it relates to the broader national interests of Hungary and Central Europe.
While the incident points to rising geopolitical tensions—especially between Ukraine and Russia—the assertion from Türkiye’s energy authorities signals resilience amid these challenges. The TurkStream, seen as indispensable, is poised to play a pivotal role as energy dynamics continue to evolve within the region.
Although current events around the TurkStream pipeline raise flames of conflict, they also highlight the necessity for energy security and international cooperation. With the reliability of this pipeline, Central Europe stands at a crossroads, requiring careful navigation of geopolitical pressures and energy dynamics.
The TurkStream pipeline exemplifies the delicate balance of energy dependencies and national security concerns—an issue reverberated by the conviction echoed by Hungarian officials and energy authorities from Türkiye.