Russia-Ukraine conflict: US Treasury official says Russia trying to bypass sanctions through Turkey

Russia was subject to sanctions from the West as a result of its invasion of Ukraine back in February, targeting many of the elite and other individuals. The US Treasury said over the weekend that Russia was using Turkey to evade the sanctions imposed by the West.

In a call between deputy US Treasury secretary Wally Adeyemo and Turkish deputy finance minister Yunus Elitas, Adeyemo warned that Russian elites and individuals were using Turkey to escape the sanctions imposed on them.

Both officials also discussed efforts to better implement and enforce the sanctions that are imposed on Russia and its elite.

The Turkish finance ministry released its readout of the call between Adeyemo and Elitas, saying that Elitas stressed Turkey’s deep economical and political relations with both Russia and Ukraine. Elitas also assured Adeyemo that Ankara would not allow any violation of the sanctions to be made.

“Elitas confirmed that Turkey’s position has not changed regarding the current processes and sanctions, but that it would not allow the breaching of sanctions by any institution or person,” said the ministry.

Aside from oligarchs, some of the individuals who have been sanctioned are family members and friends of Russian officials.

Meanwhile, the daughter of a Russian ultra-nationalist who has advocated for Russia’s absorption of Ukraine was killed in a possible car bomb attack outside Moscow, according to state investigators over the weekend.

Darya Dugina, the daughter of prominent ideologue Alexander Dugin was killed Saturday after a possible explosive device detonated inside the car she was driving.

Russia’s foreign ministry suspected that Ukraine was responsible for the attack, but Kyiv denied any involvement.

Andrei Krasnov, who reportedly knows Dugina, according to the Russian TASS news outlet, said the vehicle belonged to Dugin and that Dugin was likely the intended target.

Both were attending a festival outside Moscow and Dugin suggested last minute that they switch cars, according to the state-run news outlet Rossiiskaya Gazeta.

An investigation would be opened, and forensics examinations are set to be conducted following the incident. Investigators are also said to be considering all possibilities to figure out who was responsible for the attack.