Russian oligarchs can continue doing business in Turkey: Minister

Turkey, a NATO member, has not joined the Western sanctions regime targeting Russia.

Ankara:

Russia’s elite can continue to do business in Turkey as long as they respect national and international law, Foreign Minister Mevlut Kavusoglu said on Saturday.

In an interview on the sidelines of the Doha Forum in Qatar, Cavusoglu was asked whether Russian elites facing Western sanctions could do business in Turkey.

“Of course, if it’s legal, if it’s not against international law, I’ll consider it,” he said.

“If it’s against international law, that’s another story.”

Two superyachts belonging to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich docked in Turkey this week.

Asked about his position, the minister said Turkey implemented sanctions approved by the United Nations.

Measures targeting the wealth of Russia’s oligarchs were not approved by the United Nations, but were ratified by Western countries, including the United States and member states of the European Union.

He has taken unprecedented measures against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including placing oligarchs and others close to Putin on the sanctions list.

Several countries have confiscated yachts owned by Russia’s richest, as US President Joe Biden vowed the allies were “coming to your wrongful advantage”.

Abramovich has also been hit with a UK asset freeze and travel ban.

But NATO member Turkey, which has strong ties with Russia and Ukraine, has not joined the Western sanctions regime targeting Moscow.

Asked whether Russian oligarchs could do business in Turkey, Cavusoglu replied: “We will allow any legal and lawful activities and we will not allow any illegal activities in Turkey.”

Turkey has described Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “unacceptable” and has offered its services as a mediator to help end the war.

“We have to find a face-saving way for both sides or a respectable exit (that they) sell publicly and globally,” Cavusoglu said of continued efforts to achieve a ceasefire agreement.

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