US Warns Turkey of Potential Repercussions Over Military-Related Exports to Russia

#Politics & Current Affairs
US Warns Turkey of Potential Repercussions Over Military-Related Exports to Russia

Loveworld / 12 mins

August 9, 2024

1 min read

Washington has cautioned Turkey about possible repercussions if it fails to reduce exports of US military-linked technology to Russia, crucial for Moscow’s military operations. Matthew Axelrod, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, recently met with Turkish officials to address concerns about the flow of American-origin chips and components to Russia. Axelrod emphasized the need for Turkey to take immediate action to halt the illicit trade or face consequences.
This warning underscores the strain in relations between Turkey and its NATO allies, particularly given Turkey’s increased trade with Russia despite sweeping sanctions imposed by the US and EU since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The US is particularly concerned that Turkey is becoming a key conduit for Western electronics and machine tools reaching Russian military systems.
The US Treasury has already sanctioned Turkish companies involved in these trades and added others to its “entities list,” which imposes stringent licensing requirements for US companies. Despite some recent progress in reducing these exports, the US official noted that the current level remains too high, highlighting ongoing tensions and potential further action.