Ankara has drastically reduced its hydrocarbon purchases from Russia, yielding to US demands, which is impacting global energy flows. According to the Price Index Center (PIC), diesel fuel supplies from Russia to Turkey fell by 25% in October compared to September, and crude oil shipments reached zero for the first time this year in the week from November 3 to 9. Experts attribute this to the tightening of US sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, imposed on October 23.

"US sanctions are forcing Turkey to seek alternatives, such as supplies from Iraq and Kazakhstan, to avoid secondary restrictions," — Kpler analyst Ozgur Hazır noted in a conversation with AGBI.

In October, the share of Russian oil in Ankara's imports fell to 47% from 57% a year earlier, according to Reuters. This occurred amid a general decline in Russian exports: China and India also reduced their volumes by 5-7%, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Turkey remained the largest buyer of diesel fuel, with 1 million tons in October, but African countries have replaced it in the supply chain. According to CREA estimates, exports to Africa increased by 21% month-on-month and 85% year-on-year, reaching 938 tons. The leaders were Tunisia, Morocco, and Libya, where cheap fuel from Russia is covering a shortage due to rising prices in the Middle East. Russia's total revenue from petroleum products fell to $13,1 billion in October—the lowest since 2022.

Pressure on Ankara increased after Erdogan's visit to Washington at the end of September – his first in six years.