United States has warned Turkey over its exports to Russia which could boost Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine
The United States (U.S.) has warned Turkey from exporting products to Russia such as chemicals, microchips and other products that can be used by Russia for attacking Ukraine.
The Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Treasury – Brian Nelson met the Government Officials and private sector officials in Turkey and urged them for more cooperation in disrupting the flow of such goods.
In a speech to bankers, Nelson said a marked year-long rise in exports to Russia leaves Turkish entities particularly vulnerable to reputational and sanctions risks, or lost access to G7 markets. He said that they should take extra precaution to avoid transactions related to potential dual-use technology transfers that could be used by the Russian military-industrial complex.
Nelson and a delegation highlighted tens of millions of dollars of exports to Russia that raised concerns. Despite export sanctions imposed by the West, supply channels have remained open from Hong Kong, Turkey and other trading hubs. Turkey, which is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), opposes the sweeping sanctions on Russia on principle but says they will not be circumvented in Turkey, urging the West to provide any evidence.
Around U.S. $ 2.6 billion of computer and other electronic components flowed into Russia in the seven months to October 31, 2022. At least U.S. $ 777 million of these products were made by Western firms whose chips have been found in Russian weapons systems.
Turkey has so far balanced its good ties with both Russia and Ukraine. Turkey, along with the United Nations (U.N.), played a key role in brokering a foodgrain deal which allowed the export of foodgrain from Russian controlled ports of Ukraine.
The trip by Nelson is aimed at ramping up pressure on Ankara to ensure enforcement of U.S. curbs on Russia. Meanwhile, Turkey’s largest ground-service provider – Havas has told Russian and Belarusian Airlines that it may stop providing parts, fuel and other services to their U.S.- origin aircraft, in line with Western sanctions.
In September 2023, a total of 5 Turkish banks suspended the use of the Russian Mir payment system after the U.S. Treasury targeted the head of the system’s operator with new sanctions and warned those helping Russia against skirting them. Nelson urged the Turkish bankers to conduct enhanced due diligence on Russian-related transactions and said that Russian oligarchs continue to buy property and dock yachts in Turkey.
In separate talks with Turkish firms, Nelson flagged the way Russia is dodging Western controls to re-supply plastics, rubber and semi-conductors found in exported goods and used by the military.
