Turkey talking with US, Russia for sanctions waiver on energy imports

Turkey is in talks with the United States and Russia in an attempt to secure a US sanctions waiver so it can continue paying Gazprombank for Russian natural gas imports, Turkish authorities said.

Last week, the United States imposed new sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank as President Joe Biden steps up actions to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine before he leaves office in January.

Turkey imports almost all its gas needs and Russia is the top supplier, providing more than 50% of its pipeline imports.

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar referred to a previous waiver granted to Ankara when Washington earlier sanctioned Iran, saying Turkey needs something similar when it comes to Gazprombank in order for it to secure supply.

"These sanctions will affect Turkey. We cannot pay, if we cannot pay we cannot buy the goods. The foreign ministry is...