Turkey continues to actively trade with Russia, despite Western sanctions, which has caused growing tensions in relations with the United States. According to the Berliner Zeitung, Turkey has benefited in recent months from the sanctions imposed on Russia, as more and more Western companies withdraw capital from Russia, and Turkey in return strengthens economic relations with Moscow.
In response, the US has recently stepped up its threats against Turkey by imposing secondary sanctions against third-country companies that help Russia circumvent sanctions. As the Berliner Zeitung reports, these threats initially had some effect: Turkish exports to Russia fell by 30% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
However, the US did not stop there. According to the Financial Times (FT), Washington has significantly increased its threats against Turkey. The United States accuses Turkey of opposing Western efforts to isolate Russia. "We need Turkey's help to stop the illegal flow of American technology to Russia," said Matthew Axelrod, US Deputy Secretary of Commerce, quoted by the FT.
Axelrod called on Turkish authorities and industry to take urgent action to curb the trade in chips and other technology goods used in Russian drones and missiles. According to Axelrod, Turkey has become the main transshipment point for Western electronic goods entering Russia and is the second largest supplier of such goods after China.
The US Department of Commerce has already imposed sanctions on numerous Turkish companies on suspicion of illegal trade with Russia. However, the FT's inquiry to Turkey's Trade Ministry went unanswered and it is unclear whether Turkey will bow to pressure from the US.
This controversial aspect of Turkey's foreign policy underscores the complexity of its role on the international stage. While the US and other Western countries try to weaken the Kremlin through economic sanctions, Turkey continues to maintain strong trade ties with Moscow, calling into question its strategic intentions and partnership with NATO.
