Russia-Ukraine war: US sanctions Turkey-based entities, individuals for evading sanctions to help Russia

The United States has imposed sanctions on at least four entities based in Turkey for violating US export controls and helping Russia in its war in Ukraine. This marks the biggest US enforcement action in Turkey since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year.

Washington on Wednesday announced it was sanctioning four Turkey-based entities as part of a global sanctions package on over 120 entities. A US official told Reuters that the sanctions were targeting entities and individuals in Turkey’s maritime and trade sectors that were mainly Russia-owned or Russia-linked. The official said the sanctions are “meant as a warning shot in the evolving phase of enforcing export controls.”

The new sanctions targeted Turkey-based electronics company Azu International which the Treasury said shipped foreign-origin computer chips to Russia. Turkey-based industrial products and trading company Dezlas were also sanctioned, as the Treasury said the firm acted as an intermediary for a sanctioned Russian entity. A unit of Dexlas and a general director were also sanctioned.

The new US sanctions come ahead of Turkey’s presidential election that will take place next month. Turkey, a NATO member country, has sought to maintain good relations with both Russia and Ukraine. While Ankara opposes Western sanctions on principle, it has said they will not be evaded in Turkey, and no shipped products can be used by the Russian military.

Turkey last month moved to stop the transit of Western-sanctioned goods to Russia.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in several rounds of sanctions by the West on Moscow. However, supply channels from Turkey and other trading countries, such as Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, are still open.

Along with the US, the United Kingdom has also issued a new round of sanctions on Moscow. The new sanctions of both countries are targeting Russian oligarchs Roman Abramovich and Alisher Usmanov, targeting their financial networks as both men are known to be close allies of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Washington said the sanctions are coordinated with London to further reinforce existing penalties and the importation of critical technologies by Russia that Moscow has used in the war.

The UK’s latest sanctions involve 14 individuals and entities.

“We are closing the net on the Russian elite and those who try to help them hide their money for war,” said British foreign minister James Cleverly in a statement.