U. S warned Turkey for supplying Russia with military goods
2023.02.04 09:03
U. S warned Turkey for supplying Russia with military goods
By Kristina Sobol
Budrigannews.com – In recent days, the United States of America issued a warning to Turkey regarding the export to Russia of chemicals, microchips, and other products that could be used in Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine. The United States may also take action against Turkish banks or businesses for violating sanctions.
On Thursday and Friday, top sanctions official from the U.S. Treasury Department Brian Nelson met with Turkish government and private sector officials to ask for more cooperation in stopping the flow of such goods.
Nelson stated in a speech to bankers that Turkish companies are “particularly vulnerable to reputational and sanctions risks” or have lost access to G7 markets as a result of a significant increase in exports to Russia over the past year.
According to a copy of the speech that was distributed by the Treasury, he advised them to “take extra precaution to avoid transactions related to potential dual-use technology transfers that could be used by the Russian military-industrial complex.”
According to a senior U.S. official who requested anonymity, Nelson and a delegation brought up concerns about tens of millions of dollars worth of exports to Russia during the meetings in Ankara and Istanbul.
The official stated, “It is not surprising that Russia is actively looking to leverage the historic economic ties it has in Turkey.” What will be the Turkish response is the question.
Turkey, a NATO member, urges the West to provide any evidence in support of its principled opposition to the broad sanctions imposed on Russia. However, it asserts that Turkey will not circumvent the sanctions.
After Moscow’s invasion nearly a year ago, Western nations put export restrictions and sanctions into place. However, supply routes from Hong Kong, Turkey, and other trading centers have remained open.
According to records from Russian customs, at least $2.6 billion worth of computer and other electronic components entered Russia between October 31 and December 31. Western companies whose chips were found in Russian weapons systems produced at least $777 million worth of these items.
Throughout the war, Ankara held early talks with both sides and helped broker a deal for grain shipments from Ukraine, balancing its good relations with Moscow and Kiev.
The most recent visit to Turkey by senior U.S. officials with the intention of increasing pressure on Ankara to ensure that U.S. restrictions on Russia are enforced is made by Nelson, the Treasury’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
Some changes have resulted from the pressure.
In accordance with Western bans, Turkey’s largest ground service provider, Havas, informed Russian and Belarusian airlines that it may cease providing parts, fuel, and other services to their U.S.-based aircraft, Reuters reported on Friday, citing a letter from the company dated January 31.
Five Turkish banks stopped using the Russian Mir payment system in September after the U.S. Treasury slapped new sanctions on the head of the system’s operator and warned those assisting Moscow against evading them.
In the speech, Nelson noted that Russian oligarchs continue to purchase property and dock yachts in Turkey and urged Turkish bankers to conduct enhanced due diligence on Russian-related transactions.
According to the official, Nelson “urgently” raised the possibility that Russia is evading Western controls in order to resupply the military with plastics, rubber, and semi-conductors found in exported goods.
The individual went on to say that the United States is now concentrating on “evasion and particularly evasion in third countries that we are seeing” after exerting pressure on Russia to end the war last year.
According to the Treasury, Nelson delivered similar messages this week in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
