At least four Turkey-based entities were sanctioned by the United States on Wednesday for allegedly violating U.S. export controls and aiding Russia’s war effort. This is the largest U.S. enforcement action in Turkey since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.
After Russia’s invasion, the United States and its allies imposed severe sanctions on the country, but Moscow has been able to continue importing food and other necessities from Black Sea neighbor Turkey and other trading hubs like Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.
It is stated that the sanctions targeted “primarily” Russian-owned or affiliated entities and individuals in Turkey’s maritime and commercial sectors.
The Foreign Ministry of Turkey did not immediately respond about the U.S. sanctions, which were imposed a month before historic elections in the country.
Despite its general opposition to the Western sanctions, Turkey has made it clear that it will not allow any products shipped through its territory to be used in Russia’s armed forces. Turkey took action last month to prevent the shipment of goods sanctioned by the West from entering Russia.
