According to a report by the Financial Times (FT), Türkiye has quietly blocked the export of U.S.-made military equipment to Russia following a warning from Washington.
According to FT sources, Ankara has updated its customs systems in recent weeks to halt the export of over 40 categories of U.S.-made products deemed critical to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The new restrictions target products such as microchips, processors, and control systems believed to be used in weapons.
The report published by FT indicates that, following U.S. threats of sanctions, Turkish banks have also reduced their dealings with Russian assets over the past year.
The article notes that Türkiye’s current policy regarding exports to Russia has not been publicly disclosed due to political sensitivities.
Despite being a NATO member, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has maintained positive relations with both Russia and Ukraine. The report states:
“Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Türkiye facilitated the flow of Russian gas to the European Union, allowing the Kremlin to circumvent the bloc’s sanctions.
Türkiye has provided significant assistance to Ukraine. In 2023, Türkiye became the world’s largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, importing approximately €42.2 billion ($45.9 billion) worth of oil, natural gas, and coal from Russia. This represents a fivefold increase over the past decade.
At the same time, Erdoğan has openly supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and his administration has provided substantial aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Additionally, in 2022, Türkiye, in collaboration with the UN, brokered a grain deal that was crucial in alleviating the rise in global food prices caused in part by the war. Despite the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Türkiye’s mediation allowed for the export of agricultural products from the country via the Black Sea.”