U.S. warns Turkey on exports seen to boost Russia’s war effort

• The US threatened to sanction Turkish companies.
• Nelson and a group raised concerns about tens of millions of dollars in shipments to Russia.
• Russia is actively looking to leverage the historic economic ties it has with Turkey.

Istanbul: The US has recently cautioned Turkey about the transfer to Russia of chemicals, microchips, and other materials that could be used in Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine, and it has threatened to sanction Turkish companies or banks that violate sanctions.

Brian Nelson, the top sanctions officer at the US Treasury Department, visited the Turkish government and commercial sector leaders on Thursday and Friday to urge greater cooperation in stopping the supply of such commodities.

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.

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,” he said in a copy of the speech issued by the Treasury.

According to a senior US source who requested anonymity, Nelson and a group raised concerns about tens of millions of dollars in shipments to Russia during meetings in Ankara and Istanbul.

“There is no surprise…that Russia is actively looking to leverage the historic economic ties it has in Turkey,” the official said. “The question is what is the Turkish response going to be.”

Ankara, a NATO member, opposes the broad sanctions against Russia on principle but believes they will not be avoided in Turkey, pressing the West to produce evidence.

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