Turkiye understands and accepts the European Union's position that gas imported under future contracts with the bloc must not originate in Russia, German Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche said Friday during a two-day visit to Ankara.

Axar.az informs, citing Turkiye Today, "Brussels will insist on non-Russian supplies in any future energy agreements involving Turkiye," Reiche said, speaking alongside a German business delegation.

She held talks earlier in the day with Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.

Turkiye, the second-largest buyer of gas from Russia, is negotiating new supply agreements with Moscow as its existing contracts near expiration. At the same time, Ankara is seeking to establish itself as a regional gas hub.

Reiche said Ankara understands and accepts the EU's strong determination to end its dependence on Russian commodities. However, she said Turkish officials made clear in talks that replacing Russian gas cannot happen overnight, either economically or in terms of available resources.