US sanctions Turkey-based entities for role in Russia-Ukraine war
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The US sanctioned on Wednesday four Turkey-based entities, including an electronics company and a technology trader, for helping Russia’s efforts in the war against Ukraine.
The designations were part of a global sanctions package on more than 120 entities announced by the US Treasury, Reuters reported.
Reuters cited a US official as saying that the sanctions targeted “primarily” Russia-owned or Russia-linked entities and individuals in Turkey’s maritime and trade sectors.
The official, who preferred to be unnamed, said the US sanctioning is “a warning shot in the evolving phase of enforcing export controls.”
The US Treasury said it had designated electronics firm Azu International, and Dexias, an industrial products and trading company.
In December, Reuters reported that Azu had exported at least $20 million worth of components to Russia.
In the same regard, CNN network said based on leaked US intelligence documentation that Russia’s Wagner “mercenary” group, fighting in Ukraine, attempted to buy weapons and equipment from the NATO member Turkey.
The documentation alleged that personnel from the Wagner Group met with “Turkish contacts” in early February “to purchase weapons and equipment from Turkey” to be used by Wagner in Ukraine, according to CNN.
A US official said that the documentation titled, “Mali, Russia, Turkey: Vagner seeks weapons from Ankara.”
The title indicates that Wagner also planned to use the weapons and equipment from Turkey in Mali, where the group maintains a significant presence.
A State Department spokesperson said the “the Department of Defense and the intelligence community are actively reviewing and assessing the validity” of the leaked documents.