The European Union is increasing oversight of Turkish storage terminals amid concerns that Russian oil continues to reach European markets despite Western sanctions. Analysts say Turkish facilities have become key conduits for Russian petroleum products, complicating enforcement of energy restrictions imposed since the invasion of Ukraine.
Several times a month, tankers unload tens of thousands of barrels of diesel and other fuels at terminals such as Turkis Enerji in Mersin, most of it originating from Russia, before sending similar volumes to EU destinations. We reached out to Turkis Enerji, Opet, and the Turkish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.
Why It Matters
Energy exports account for roughly a third of Russia’s federal budget, making the flow of oil through Turkey a critical loophole for Moscow. The EU’s inability to fully trace these shipments undermines sanctions designed to curb revenue funding the war in Ukraine.
Efforts to tighten control over Russian fuel imports are a key component of broader geopolitical pressure, affecting EU-Turkey relations and global energy markets.
What To Know
Turkish storage terminals received nearly 6.5 million barrels of refined fuels in 2025, including 5.5 million barrels from Russia worth approximately $500 million, according to Kpler and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Roughly 4.4 million barrels were exported to the EU, suggesting a substantial portion contained Russian-origin products.
Facilities such as Opet’s Marmara terminal have become global hubs for Russian refined fuels, with $10 billion passing through since sanctions began. EU antifraud investigators have found it difficult to establish the provenance of these shipments due to the complex network of middlemen and storage facilities, which Turkey has not allowed external investigators to audit.
Turkish law does not prohibit purchases of Russian energy, allowing imports to continue legally even under EU sanctions. Major Turkish conglomerates, including Koç Group, own stakes in these terminals and maintain that they do not conduct business with sanctioned parties.
Caveat: While data indicate Russian fuel is entering Turkish terminals and leaving for the EU, direct evidence of the specific contents of each shipment is not publicly available. Official Turkish and EU authorities have not confirmed precise volumes of Russian-origin oil reaching EU markets.
What People Are Saying
Pablo Tedo Murua, head of the trade unit at the EU’s antifraud office, said: “Investigators would need to track the flow of petroleum products through the various storage tankers, which would of course demand significant resources and coordination on [Turkey’s] end.”
Opet spokeswoman said: “We provide storage services for customers and do not own the products that are shipped to or from our facility.”
Martin Vladimirov, analyst at the Center for the Study of Democracy, said: “The only durable way to [cut Russian oil exports] is to ban petroleum products imports from countries that use Russian oil… Europe needs a pan-EU authority that actually goes after several cases.”
What Happens Next
The EU will consider sanctions on Turkish ports suspected of facilitating Russian oil flows. Additional measures, including the January 21 ban on imports of oil products refined from Russian crude in other countries, will shift the burden of proof to importers to demonstrate non-Russian origin. Meanwhile, Turkey continues legal imports of Russian oil for domestic and export markets.
