• Former President Donald Trump has publicly called on Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to stop buying Russian oil, amplifying Western pressure on Moscow's energy revenues.
  • Turkey has already significantly reduced its reliance on Russian crude in recent months, with imports dropping to around 19% of its total in March 2025 from over 50% last year.
  • The shift comes as the U.S. and allies tighten sanctions enforcement, targeting a shadow fleet of tankers and pressuring non-Western buyers to comply with the G7 price cap.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeal to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to cease purchases of Russian oil lands as Ankara is already pivoting its energy sourcing. The public call, made during a recent campaign event, underscores the ongoing international effort to constrict the flow of petrodollars to Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

Data from March 2025 shows Turkish refiners have sharply cut their intake of Russian crude, which now accounts for only about 19% of the country's imports, a stark decline from the more than 50% share seen last year. This recalibration is partly a response to intensified Western sanctions, including the G7-led price cap that permits imports only if oil is purchased at $60 per barrel or less and uses Western insurance and financing. "The pressure has been building for months," said an analyst who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive market movements. "Refiners are avoiding any deal that could risk their access to international markets."

Turkey’s position is particularly delicate. As a NATO member with significant economic ties to Russia, it has walked a fine line. The recent import reduction suggests a strategic shift, with Turkey increasingly sourcing oil from alternative suppliers like Brazil. However, this diversification comes at a cost. Importing from farther afield typically raises transport and insurance expenses, which could eventually filter down to Turkish consumers and industries.

The U.S. Treasury Department has been actively designating Russian oil companies and sanctioning vessels, traders, and insurers involved in circumventing the price cap. These measures have made it increasingly difficult for all non-Western buyers, including India and China, to secure affordable shipping and insurance for Russian cargoes. A person familiar with the matter noted that Turkish energy officials have been in recent contact with U.S. counterparts, though the specifics of those discussions remain private.

Efforts to reach a spokesperson for the Turkish presidency for comment on Trump's statement were not immediately successful. The long-term outlook remains fluid. While Turkish imports from Russia are likely to stay below their previous peaks in the short term, experts caution that geopolitical shifts or changes in sanctions enforcement could rapidly alter the dynamics of global oil flows once again.