Turkey’s largest refineries have significantly reduced purchases of Russian crude oil in an effort to avoid U.S. and European sanctions, Reuters reported.

For much of the past two years, Turkey, China, and India have been among the main buyers of Russian oil. But growing Western scrutiny over potential sanction violations has prompted Turkish refiners to gradually phase out their reliance on Moscow’s supplies.

Iraqi and Kazakh Oil Fill the Gap

To compensate, Turkey has sharply increased imports of crude oil from Iraq’s Kurdistan Region and Kazakhstan, according to data from energy analytics firm Kpler.

In October, Turkey imported 99,000 barrels per day (bpd) from Iraq’s Kurdistan oil fields.

This month, imports are projected to rise to 141,000 bpd, marking a substantial increase.

Refineries Shift Strategy

Socar Turkey, one of the country’s largest refineries, has already purchased four shipments of oil from Iraq and Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, Tupras, Turkey’s biggest refining company, which operates two refineries, is reportedly preparing to halt all purchases of Russian crude in the near future.

Why It Matters

The move underscores Ankara’s balancing act between maintaining energy security and avoiding Western sanctions. Turkey remains a crucial energy transit hub and a NATO member that has maintained close economic ties with both Russia and the West.