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Putin: Energy is 'locomotive' of Russia - Turkey economic cooperation ― RT Business

The Russian President is to visit Turkey on December 1 to discuss trade and energy. His talks with Turkish President Erdogan will focus on the Blue Stream gas pipeline from Russia, as well as the building of a $20 billion nuclear power plant.

President Putin and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are due to meet in Ankara on Monday.

“In recent decades, energy has been playing the role of a ‘locomotive’ in our trade and economic cooperation. In terms of volume, Turkey is the second largest buyer of Russian natural gas after Germany, which is delivered through the ‘Western corridor’ with transit through Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria, and through the Blue Stream gas pipeline,” Putin said in an interview to Anadolu Agency ahead of his visit to Turkey.

With a population of more than 80 million Turkey is a strategic partner for Russia as it diversifies dependence away from Europe.