Low gas prices drive Turkmenistan to seek volume sales
Subject Turkmenistan's gas diplomacy. Significance Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov met Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 1 during his first visit to Russia since 2011. They reportedly discussed trade, regional security and most importantly bilateral gas arrangements. Russian energy giant Gazprom announced a week later that it had suspended legal action against its Turkmen counterpart Turkmengaz, but did not offer to resume gas purchases. Impacts A prolonged period of low gas prices would create risks to social stability. Turkmenistan's desire to mend fences with Russia will be constrained by its reluctance to join Moscow-led regional blocs. Russia and a resurgent Iran will try to blunt Turkmenistan's ambition to become a significant gas supplier to Europe.