US Warns Turkey of Sanction Risks: WSJ

The Turkish authorities have received a warning from the United States about the "very real risks" of falling under sanctions for assisting Russia. This was reported on Friday, August 18, by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing its sources.

According to the publication, certain signs indicate that the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia is diminishing. In this regard, the US and its allies are now looking to tighten the application of restrictive measures, particularly by countries like Turkey, which has increased trade with Russia against the backdrop of the armed conflict in Ukraine.

Washington is concerned that Turkey has become a "hub" for violating sanctions against Moscow, according to unnamed US officials. "We are in constant dialogue with the Turkish government on these issues. We sincerely hope to avoid a scenario where certain Turkish companies find themselves under sanctions," an anonymous diplomat told the newspaper.

The official noted that the US government is negotiating with both the Turkish authorities and the country's private sector to "inform them about the very real risks." The publication highlights the Turkish company Beks Ship Management, which has acquired 37 ships since 2021 (many of them old oil tankers), spending more than half a billion dollars and tenfold increasing the value of its fleet.

According to WSJ, Beks Ship Management is allegedly one of the companies that has become a "key element in Russia's efforts to continue supplying oil worldwide and financing military operations in Ukraine." Furthermore, the publication mentions "sanctioned Russian cargo ships' ports that transport weapons and goods, such as Western-produced electronics that Moscow needs for its armed forces."