The EC announced the control of the export of goods to avoid circumvention of sanctions

The European Union ensures that countries, bypassing the imposed sanctions, do not EXPORT European goods to Russia, this also applies to Turkey, the press service of the European Commission (EC) told Vedomosti. The publication made a request in connection with reports of Turkey restricting the transit of goods to Russia.

“Separately, EU customs cannot block the re-export of goods from Turkey to Russia, but can track and control EU goods to avoid their export through Turkey or other countries, bypassing sanctions laws,” the EC said.

They also confirmed that they are aware of the introduction of a ban on re-export by Turkey.

The first to block the transit of sanctioned goods by Ankara was reported on March 9 by Kommersant FM radio, citing market participants. The next day, the Russian embassy in Turkey told RBC that it and the trade representative office "are working to clarify the circumstances and background of the emerging difficulties with the registration of trade operations of a number of Russian companies." The diplomatic mission expressed hope for a solution to the problem in the near future.

BLOOMBERG, citing an unnamed high-ranking Turkish official, reported that the country's authorities began blocking the transit of goods under US and EU sanctions from March 1. According to Bloomberg, last year the trade between Moscow and Ankara grew to $9.3 billion - in 2021 it was about one and a half times lower ($5.8 billion).

The agency wrote in early February that Washington increased pressure on Ankara, as well as Abu Dhabi, to restrict the flow of goods to Russia. Experts interviewed by RBC called the UAE, as well as Iran, alternatives to Turkey for the transit of sanctioned products to Russia.