The downing of a Russian warplane by Turkish jets on Nov. 24 has triggered officials to find alternative ways to satisfy Turkey's energy needs and ensure supply security after Russia implemented economic sanctions against the country. Russian officials said gas supply will continue according to contractual agreements; however, Turkey has begun to search for alternative sources, chiefly by exploring its options with its allies in the Middle East. As one of its important allies, Qatar is the biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) with exports of 76.8 million tons in 2014 which Turkey regards as a key energy supplier. According to a deal signed in September 2014, Qatar was set to provide 1.2 billion cubic meters of LNG to Turkey in 2015 via tankers. With today's meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Turkey is expected to demand an increase in the amount of natural gas provided from Qatar. In addition, as another energy resource alternative, Turkey may reconsider the East Med Pipeline project, which is planned to extend from Turkey to Europe under the eastern Mediterranean Sea. However, this project is seen as problematic due to the ongoing crisis in the region along with problematic issues involving the countries located near the proposed pipeline: Israel on one side and Saudi Arabia and Qatar on the other. Moreover, as the project is expected to reduce Turkey's dependency on Russian gas, the government may push its allies in the Middle East to speed up the process to launch the project, in order to diversify its energy resources.