Russia flooded with energy requests as Iran war escalates

As the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran continues to roil global markets, the Kremlin announced Tuesday that it has received a “huge” number of requests for energy supplies. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that the world has “confidently embarked on a path toward a rather serious economic and energy crisis,” fundamentally altering market conditions. Russia is now negotiating with multiple buyers to sell its oil and gas from alternative routes, aiming to best serve its own interests. “The market and market conditions in the energy and energy resources sector have completely changed,” Peskov added.

Serbia, Hungary in contact

Peskov confirmed that Moscow maintains active discussions with Serbia and Hungary regarding energy deliveries. These two European nations have resisted Western pressure to cut ties with Russian energy. Meanwhile, Türkiye, which relies on Russian natural gas for nearly half of its consumption, has maintained a balanced policy, continuing to purchase from Moscow while also receiving Azerbaijani and Iranian supplies. Ankara has not joined sanctions against Russia, viewing energy security as a national priority. Turkish officials believe that diversifying suppliers is key to avoiding price shocks.

Putin’s March meeting and Middle East fallout

On March 9, President Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting on global oil and gas markets, specifically addressing the impact of escalating Middle East tensions. The US and Israel launched an offensive against Iran on February 28, killing over 1,340 people including the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes on Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting American assets, disrupting global shipping and aviation. For Türkiye, any blockage of the Strait of Hormuz or a spike in energy prices would directly hit its current account deficit and industrial output.

Türkiye’s strategic position

As a neighboring country to both Iran and Russia, Türkiye continues to urge de-escalation while protecting its own energy corridors. Turkish officials have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution. The Kremlin’s announcement of surging demand for its energy resources suggests that despite Western sanctions, global buyers are scrambling for reliable supplies amid the widening conflict. Ankara is likely to benefit from its flexible energy partnerships, potentially securing favorable terms as competition for non-sanctioned Russian gas intensifies. Peskov noted that negotiations are being conducted in a way that “best suits our interests.”