Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin spoke yesterday at the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow about creating a European natural-gas hub in Turkey and using the TurkStream pipeline as Russia’s main route for supplying gas to Europe. Turkish Energy Min. Fatih Donmez, speaking at the same conference, said that the idea was new to him but should be discussed. If realized, this could open up a second escape hatch in “undemocratic” countries for Czech companies fleeing high energy prices. Hungary is a logical first option, but it’s still the EU and subject to the whims of Brussels. Moving to Turkey wouldn’t be such a major decision for companies that are used to shifting production as economic conditions change, but what about Czech breweries that can’t cope with high energy prices? Japaneseowned Pilsner Urquell states right there on the label that it is “Brewed only in Plzeň, Czech
Republic.” Would consumers accept a Turkish-made Pilsner Urquell? It’s a scary thought.

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