Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has stated that Ankara will continue purchasing gas from Russia despite pressure from US President Donald Trump to cut ties with Moscow. Trump had urged NATO members to halt Russian oil and gas imports in exchange for new sanctions, framing the move as a step toward ending the Ukraine conflict. However, Bayraktar emphasized the importance of stable energy supplies for Turkey’s security, noting that existing agreements with Russia would remain in place. “We cannot tell our citizens, ‘we have run out of gas,’” he said. “Winter is coming, and we need to secure as much gas as possible from Russia.” The minister also highlighted efforts to diversify suppliers and expand domestic production, calling it essential for energy security. Turkey, a NATO member, has maintained energy imports from Russia and avoided joining Western sanctions against Moscow since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022. Russian officials have criticized Western restrictions on Russian energy as counterproductive, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggesting Trump’s push aims to boost US oil exports.