US targets 16 entities from Turkey for helping Russia
The U.S. administration imposed new trade restrictions on 16 entities from Turkey for supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine along with 77 entities from six other countries.
Duvar English
The Biden administration said on Feb. 23 it has imposed new trade restrictions on 93 entities from Russia, China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan, India and South Korea for supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
The action, one day before the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, essentially bans U.S. shipments to the targeted entities, including 63 from Russia, 16 from Turkey, eight from China and four from the UAE.
“Our hearts are heavy that Russia’s senseless and bloodthirsty war of choice is ongoing and we have to continue to show resolve and support the Ukrainian people,” Alan Estevez, a U.S. Commerce Department under secretary who oversees export policy, said in a statement reported by the Reuters.
The Turkish companies mentioned in the list prepared by the Commerce Department were included in three different categories in terms of their activities. Accordingly, two were added because they provide support to Russia's industrial sector by producing US-origin machine tools, electronic test equipment, and sell equipment and machine tool spare parts to Russian end users without the necessary licenses.
The other 11 entities were added for engaging in conduct contrary to U.S. foreign policy in support of Russia's war effort, including the supply of potentially important U.S. products to Russia, according to the Commerce Department.
Three companies were added for shipping US-origin goods to Russia in flagrant violation of U.S. export controls on Russia.
The move, which brings the total number of those entity listed over Russia's invasion of Ukraine to 900, is one element of the latest round of sanctions by the United States, partners and allies in response to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, 2022.
The U.S. also imposed sanctions on over 500 targets over the war and the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Earlier this week, the European Union approved a 13th package of Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia, banning nearly 200 entities and individuals accused of helping Moscow procure weapons or of involvement in kidnapping Ukrainian children, including one company from Turkey.