Russia is committed to the second stage of the Blue Stream gas pipeline, but it won't extend to Israel, according to Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, speaking in Turkey.

The decision to halt Blue Stream before it reaches Israel, would be consistent with Turkish calls for sanctions against the country. But it would also trim the economic scale of the pipeline – first proposed in 2002.

Last year, Russia proposed a line parallel to Blue Stream 1 under the Black Sea, and further from Samsun to Ceyhan. The pipeline would transport gas to Syria, Lebanon, and Cyprus.

Prime Minister Putin said Blue Stream 2 would provide additional supply to Turkish market and transit to third countries.

“Israel may not need the blue fuel coming from Russia as it has discovered gas reserves of its own. The assault on the Freedom flotilla is unrelated to gas deliveries. One should not speculate on human tragedy. We see Blue Stream -2 as an additional opportunity to deliver gas to Turkey and further on to Syria or Libya. As for the Azeri gas from Shah Deniz – its not comparable to the volumes coming from Russia. Demand for gas in Turkey is rising as its economy is getting stronger and, yes, there are disruptions to Iranian gas. So its only natural that Turkey is seeking more gas.”