BUSINESS
Turkije's spookhandel met Rusland stijgt
November 28, 2023 - Turkey’s exports of “high priority” items to Russia have soared since Moscow invaded Ukraine -- including war-linked items that test ties between Ankara and its NATO allies.
Moscow uses high-priority items in its weapon systems. Dual-use parts- including microchips, communications equipment, and telescopic sights, are subject to U.S., EU, Japanese, and UK export controls to prevent them from entering Russia.
In a bid to rein in this trade, Brian Nelson, U.S. Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, will visit Ankara this week to discuss “efforts to prevent, disrupt, and investigate trade and financial activity that benefit the Russian effort in its war against Ukraine.”
There are numerous reports of Russian weapons using Western technology, such as Kh-47M2 Kinzhal and 9K720 Iskander missiles containing Texas Instruments chips and German-made electrical coils.
According to European economic think tank Bruegel, exports of high-priority items by Turkey to Russia have surged since the Kremlin invaded Ukraine.
Since February 2022, exports have surged to over US$850 million, up from an annual average of $230 million in the three years preceding the invasion.
The United States, European Union, Britain, and Japan have expanded their lists to 45 high-priority items to improve sanctions enforcement.