How Russia Could Use Trade Against Turkey

The rift between Moscow and Ankara is growing after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet that allegedly violated its airspace. On Nov. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the attack would have "serious consequences for Russian-Turkish relations." There has been a flurry of diplomatic activity in the short time since the incident, and the countries have severed military contacts.

But this may not be enough to appease Putin's constituents. Calls are mounting among Russian government officials, politicians and businesses for the Kremlin to restrict trade with Turkey. And Russia has options to do just that, especially in the energy realm, where it is still Turkey's largest natural gas supplier. However, Putin will have to decide whether the benefits of punishing Turkey now by cutting off its natural gas supplies outweigh the risk of pushing Ankara to search for alternative sources of energy down the road.