Turkey Shifts Oil Imports Away from Russia Amid Rising Western Sanctions

Turkey’s leading refiners are cutting Russian oil imports and boosting purchases from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and other producers. This strategic move reflects the growing impact of Western sanctions and reshapes global energy trade dynamics.

Turkey’s Strategic Pivot: Moving Away from Russian Oil

As Western sanctions against Moscow continue to tighten, Turkey — one of Russia’s key oil buyers — is making a strategic shift in its crude sourcing. Industry sources told Reuters that the country’s largest refiners are purchasing significantly more non-Russian oil, marking a visible response to new U.S., EU, and UK sanctions targeting Russian energy exports.

This move signals how Western pressure is rippling through global oil markets, forcing refiners and traders to adapt. Turkey’s shift is not only an energy decision but a geopolitical balancing act between maintaining affordable supply and aligning with broader international norms.

A Closer Look at Turkey’s Refining Giants

SOCAR’s STAR Refinery Turns to Non-Russian Supply

The STAR refinery — owned by Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR — has recently purchased four cargoes of crude oil from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian suppliers for December delivery. According to data reviewed by Reuters, these shipments represent an estimated 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, depending on cargo size.

This marks a notable reduction in dependence on Russian crude. In September and October, nearly 100% of STAR’s feedstock came from Russia — approximately 210,000 bpd — according to analytics firm Kpler. Among the new cargoes is a Kazakh KEBCO shipment, which is similar in quality to Russia’s Urals blend but originates from Kazakhstan.

STAR had imported only one Kazakh cargo earlier in the year and none in 2024, highlighting the shift’s significance.

Tupras Diversifies with Iraq, Brazil, and Angola

The country’s other major refiner, Tupras, is also ramping up its purchases of non-Russian grades. Two industry sources confirmed that Tupras has recently bought Iraqi crude similar to Urals and plans to phase out Russian crude entirely at one of its plants. The reason: to maintain compliance with upcoming EU sanctions while continuing to export refined fuels to European markets.

In a diversification push, Tupras has also imported its first-ever cargo from Brazil and expects its second shipment of Angolan crude (Mostarda grade) in early November. According to Kpler data, Turkey is set to receive 141,000 bpd of Iraqi crude in November, up from 99,000 bpd in October and an average of 80,000 bpd earlier in 2025.

These numbers underline a clear trend: Turkey is broadening its energy portfolio to minimize exposure to Russian sanctions while safeguarding its export position in Europe.

Western Sanctions Reshape the Energy Map

The U.S., EU, and UK have successively tightened measures to limit Moscow’s oil revenue, accusing Russia of using energy exports to fund its war in Ukraine. New restrictions introduced in late 2025 specifically target Russian state producers such as Rosneft and Lukoil, increasing compliance risks for global refiners that continue to buy Russian crude.

While India and China have remained major importers of Russian oil, Turkey’s latest moves mirror India’s gradual diversification earlier this year. This demonstrates how sanctions are indirectly reshaping global energy flows — with countries seeking to reduce dependence on Moscow without disrupting domestic fuel supply.

According to Kpler data, Russia accounted for 47% of Turkey’s total crude imports between January and October 2025 — around 317,000 bpd out of a total 669,000 bpd. In comparison, the same period in 2024 saw 333,000 bpd of Russian crude out of 580,000 bpd overall. The numbers may seem stable, but the recent cargo changes suggest a meaningful pivot is underway.

Strategic Calculations Behind Ankara’s Decision

Turkey’s decision is shaped by multiple strategic considerations:

Regulatory Compliance
With new EU restrictions set to take effect, Turkish refiners risk losing access to European fuel markets if they continue processing Russian crude. Transitioning now ensures smoother compliance and avoids costly disruptions.

Economic Stability
By diversifying crude sources, Turkey mitigates the risk of supply shocks or sudden price volatility tied to Russian exports. The move also helps maintain refinery utilization rates and fuel export revenues.

Geopolitical Balance
Ankara continues to walk a fine line between East and West — cooperating with Russia on energy while remaining a NATO member and major European trade partner. Reducing Russian oil intake allows Turkey to project neutrality amid increasing Western scrutiny.

Market Flexibility
Accessing non-Russian grades such as KEBCO (Kazakhstan), Basra Light (Iraq), and Mostarda (Angola) enables refiners to adjust operations without significant technical modifications.

Challenges on the Horizon

Despite the strategic benefits, Turkey faces several operational and market challenges in executing this pivot:

Quality Matching: Replacing Russian Urals requires crude grades of similar density and sulfur content. Not all alternatives — especially from Brazil and Angola — match STAR’s existing refining setup.

Higher Costs: Longer shipping distances and tighter availability of similar grades can raise freight and procurement costs.

Supply Chain Adjustments: Logistical recalibration may be needed, including renegotiating contracts and adjusting blending strategies.

Political Risks: While moving away from Russia improves ties with the West, it could strain Ankara’s energy partnership with Moscow, which also includes natural gas and nuclear cooperation.

Global Market Implications

Turkey’s diversification may appear modest in volume, but symbolically it underscores a larger trend — the slow but steady realignment of global crude trade.
Each incremental shift by mid-tier buyers like Turkey adds pressure on Russian exports, forcing Moscow to discount its barrels further to retain market share in Asia.

Meanwhile, producers such as Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Angola benefit from higher demand and potentially better pricing power. If Turkey continues this trajectory into 2026, it could emerge as a model for how mid-sized economies navigate the intersection of sanctions, energy security, and market opportunity.

Analysts from Rystad Energy and Commerzbank note that these developments could support a tighter non-Russian supply pool, potentially lifting benchmark prices like Brent if global demand holds steady through early 2026.

The Road Ahead

Looking forward, several indicators will determine whether Turkey’s pivot becomes permanent:

Sustainability of Alternative Supplies: Iraq and Kazakhstan must ensure consistent export flows to meet Turkey’s refining needs.

Policy Shifts in Moscow and Brussels: Any change in sanctions or Russia’s discounting strategy could influence Turkey’s purchasing decisions.

Domestic Energy Strategy: Turkey’s broader ambition to become an energy hub may push it toward more diverse, politically neutral crude sources.

If current trends persist, Turkey could reduce Russian crude’s share in its import mix below 40% by mid-2026 — a level not seen since before the Ukraine conflict.

Conclusion

Turkey’s gradual move away from Russian oil underscores how geopolitics, sanctions, and energy security are increasingly intertwined. By securing new supplies from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and beyond, Ankara is reshaping its energy map — and, in the process, contributing to a broader transformation in global oil flows.

While the shift carries economic and logistical challenges, it reinforces Turkey’s position as a pragmatic, adaptive player in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
In a world defined by volatility and political tension, diversification may well be Turkey’s most valuable resource.

FAQs

Q1: Why is Turkey reducing Russian oil imports?
Because new Western sanctions have raised compliance risks, prompting refiners to seek non-Russian alternatives while maintaining access to European fuel markets.

Q2: Which countries are replacing Russia as Turkey’s oil suppliers?
Iraq, Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Angola have emerged as key alternative sources for Turkish refiners.

Q3: How much non-Russian oil is Turkey currently importing?
Around 77,000–129,000 barrels per day, based on December deliveries reported by Reuters.

Q4: What impact could this shift have on global oil prices?
If more countries diversify away from Russian crude, competition for similar grades may tighten supply and potentially support higher oil prices in the medium term.