The US has issued a warning to Türkiye that it may face sanctions due to its alleged involvement in helping Russia bypass Western sanctions. According to the Wall Street Journal, anonymous American officials have expressed concerns that Türkiye is becoming a hub for sanctions violations. Specifically, they are referring to an alleged ‘ghost fleet’ that has been created to transport Russian oil, as well as port calls by Russian cargo ships carrying weapons and Western-made electronics that are under sanctions.
An unnamed diplomat stated that there is an ongoing dialogue with the Turkish government regarding these issues, and their hope is to avoid a scenario where a Turkish company is sanctioned. The US has been actively working with both the government and private sector in Türkiye to inform them about the risks involved.
There is a growing concern that the impact of Western sanctions on Russia is diminishing, prompting the US and its allies to tighten the enforcement of these restrictions. Despite being a member of NATO, Türkiye has chosen not to sever ties with Russia over the conflict in Ukraine. Instead, the country has deepened economic cooperation and bilateral trade with Russia.
In June, official data from the Turkish Institute of Statistics revealed steady growth in trade between Moscow and Ankara. Russia became Türkiye’s leading supplier, with the volume of goods exported amounting to $4.17 billion in April. This accounted for nearly 15% of Türkiye’s total imports.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made it clear in May that Ankara had no plans to support the economic restrictions imposed on Russia by the West. He argued that Türkiye prioritizes its own benefit and prosperity. This stance reflects the country’s decision to continue economic cooperation with Russia despite Western pressure.
The alleged involvement of Türkiye in helping Russia bypass sanctions has raised concerns among US officials. They see Türkiye’s actions as undermining the effectiveness of sanctions and allowing Russia to circumvent the economic restrictions imposed on it. The US government is determined to enforce these sanctions and is willing to sanction Türkiye if necessary.
It remains to be seen how Türkiye will respond to these warnings and whether the country will change its stance on its economic cooperation with Russia. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between Türkiye, the US, and its Western allies over their differing approaches to Russia and the enforcement of sanctions.
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