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TurkStream has serious potential for expansion, says Kremlin spokesman

The issues related to gas supplies "are indeed on the agenda of contacts at the highest and working level" between Moscow and Ankara, Dmitry Peskov stressed

MOSCOW, October 25. /TASS/. The TurkStream gas pipeline has serious potential for expansion if it becomes necessary, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

"Indeed, Turkey is currently one of the largest recipients of Russian gas. We are connected with Turkey through one of the largest gas pipeline systems, TurkStream, which has serious potential for expansion, if necessary," he said.

The issues related to gas supplies "are indeed on the agenda of contacts at the highest and working level" between Moscow and Ankara, Peskov added. "Those contacts continue, with multi-format cooperation naturally suggesting constant communication. That is why we continue speaking with Turkey and will keep doing so," he noted.

"Turkey’s position differs from [the position of] the countries of the collective West," the Presidential Spokesman said. "Turkey retains the option to be a mediator, following its national interests regarding the continuation of trade and economic relations with Russia," he said. The country has not joined "the sanctions exercises of the collective West, and in this respect it (such Ankara’s position - TASS) compares favorably both for the Turkish people and from the viewpoint of our bilateral relationship," Peskov stressed.

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