US to demand that Türkiye comply with sanctions against Russia and Hamas

Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson is expected to visit Ankara to discuss Türkiye’s compliance with sanctions against the Russian Federation and Hamas.

Source: Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the discussions, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Nelson will meet his Turkish counterparts and ask for Turkish compliance with US sanctions against a number of Russian entities and Hamas’s financial activities.

Sources told Bloomberg that the US has also warned a number of Turkish companies about possible sanctions that may disrupt their ties with the Western financial system.

Sources also said the US was alarmed by Türkiye’s refusal to support the US’s unilateral sanctions against Russian ships making port calls to Türkiye and airlines receiving ground handling at Turkish airports.

"Nelson’s visit highlights the new challenges facing the already strained relationship between Turkey and the US. The Turkish government doesn’t see Hamas as a terror organisation, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently described the group as an organisation fighting for the liberation of the Palestinian people," Bloomberg wrote.

Türkiye, in the meantime, wants to restore its relations with the US and secure President Joe Biden’s support with procuring F-16 military aircraft and modernising its naval fleet.

Background:

• The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has announced an extensive package of sanctions against 130 individuals and legal entities that help Russia supply technology for military production.
• The US has imposed sanctions on about a dozen Turkish firms and several individuals for managing an investment portfolio on behalf of Hamas or helping Russia circumvent sanctions.
• Earlier this week, Reuters reported that the US Department of Treasury had sent notices to 30 ship management companies requesting information about 100 vessels it suspects of violating Western sanctions on Russian oil.
• The source with knowledge of the notices said one of the companies that had received a request for information was Beks Shipping, based in Türkiye.

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