Russian PM: Gas pipeline may not go to Israel
Putin says not extending gas pipeline that will link Russia to Mideast to Israel not related to 'tragic incident'
Russia's prime minister says a new gas pipeline that will link Russia to the Middle East via Turkey may not be extended to Israel as originally projected. He says there are economic concerns after Israel found gas in its own waters.
Russia already supplies gas to Turkey through Blue Stream, a pipeline that opened in 2005 and tunnels under the Black Sea separating the two countries. Vladimir Putin says an expanded project, dubbed Blue Stream II, could supply gas to countries such as Lebanon and Syria.
Turkey shelved discussions on extending Blue Stream II to Israel after Israeli commandos killed nine Turks on a Gaza-bound ship last week.
But Putin says "the basic issue is Israel may not be needing this gas that much." He says it is not related to the "tragic incident."
