Turkey is a main actor making sure Russia can evade the consequences of the sanctions.
Turkey has been playing a significant role in helping Russia evade international sanctions, particularly those imposed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Recent reports highlight that Turkey has facilitated this evasion through various means, including its financial and trade relationships with Russia.
The U.S. has sanctioned several Turkish companies and individuals for their involvement in aiding Russia. These sanctions target entities that have been helping Russia's war effort by providing services such as repairing sanctioned vessels and facilitating the transfer of dual-use goods—items that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. This has allowed Russia to maintain its military capabilities despite the sanctions (
Financial Times) (
Global).
Moreover, the increase in trade volumes between Turkey and Russia since the onset of the Ukraine conflict suggests that Turkey's economic interactions with Russia have been significant in mitigating the impact of the sanctions on Moscow. This involvement has raised alarms in Western capitals, which see Turkey's actions as undermining the collective efforts to pressure Russia into compliance (
Financial Times) (
Global).
In summary, Turkey's role in helping Russia evade sanctions underscores a complex geopolitical relationship, balancing its own economic interests and strategic alliances while drawing criticism from Western allies.
Turkey was the main "mediator" behind the hostages-for-murderers swap.
Turkey played a pivotal role in the recent high-profile prisoner exchange between the United States, Russia, and other countries. This complex operation, coordinated by Turkish intelligence, saw the release of 26 individuals from seven different countries, including notable figures such as Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan, and Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza (
Al-Monitor) (
Devdiscourse) (
Al-Monitor).
President Joe Biden publicly thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for ensuring the successful completion of the swap. The exchange also involved the release of 12 prominent Russian dissidents and German nationals, including Ilya Yashin, a close aide to the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny (
Al-Monitor) (
Al-Monitor).
The operation underscored Turkey's significant diplomatic influence and its ability to mediate complex international negotiations. This exchange demonstrates Turkey's strategic role in facilitating dialogue and resolution between Eastern and Western powers (
) (
Al-Monitor).