Russia moves closer to new gas pipeline deal

Russia secured Turkish support for a pipeline project that challenges EU efforts to reduce energy dependence on Moscow, but said Europe would ultimately benefit from the deal.

Russia’s South Stream pipeline rivals a pipeline project known as Nabucco that has the backing of the European Union and the US and would provide a supply of gas not subject to Russian control.

At a signing ceremony in Ankara, Turkey, Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, sought to portray the South Stream project as a contributor to Europe’s energy security.

South Stream would eventually run from Russia to Bulgaria before delivering gas to consumers in the European Union.