Turkey Slashes Russian Oil Imports to an 18-Month Low.

Turkey’s Strategy for Reducing Russian Crude Purchases

According to UATV: Turkey is set to cut its imports of Russian oil to the lowest level seen in a year and a half. Currently, Ankara stands as the largest buyer of seaborne Russian crude in the Mediterranean and ranks third globally, behind only India and China. Specifically, in May 2023, Turkey’s average daily imports of Urals crude are expected to drop to roughly 161,000 barrels.

This figure marks a decline compared to the 189,000 barrels per day imported between January and April 2023, and is also significantly lower than the 302,000 barrels per day recorded in May 2025. As a result, Russia’s seaborne exports of Urals crude to Turkey will fall to their lowest point since January 2025. This shift highlights a broader trend in the region’s energy trade dynamics.

Implications for Energy Policy

The reduction in Russian oil imports represents a major strategic move for Turkey, one that could reshape its future energy policy.

This development may signal Turkey’s growing push to diversify its energy supplies and reduce reliance on Russian resources. Amid global efforts to curb Russia’s influence over energy markets, Turkey appears to be exploring alternative sources, which could alter the regional energy landscape. Such a shift might also have ripple effects on oil prices both locally and across global markets.