The large group of Russian superyachts in Turkish waters is raising tensions with the United States, which sees the matter as an extension of Moscow’s access to Turkey’s financial system, potentially undermining Western sanctions, the New York Times said on Monday.
At least 32 yachts linked to Russian oligarchs and sanctioned entities have sheltered in Turkish waters in recent months, according to the NY Times analysis, moving about and freely without fear of seizure.
Turkish marinas continue to service sanctioned Russians and their superyachts despite a warning from Washington to Turkey over penalties of working with sanctioned Russian individuals or entities and the subsequent move by several Turkish banks to stopped accepting the Mir payment system.
While denouncing Russia’s offensive against Ukraine, Turkey, unlike most other NATO countries, has stopped short of slapping punitive measures on Russia and is seeking to mediate between the two warring sides in the hope of brokering a peace deal or a ceasefire. Moreover, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have agreed to step up co-operation on trade and energy since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February.
Ownership records of superyachts for the ultrawealthy are well known for being linked to shell companies, the NY Times said, noting that the vessels owned by or linked to sanctioned Russians have been cruising from cove to cove around the resort town of Göcek along the Aegean Sea.
As of Oct. 20 there were at least 13 yachts in Turkey linked to Russia sanctions, NY Times said, four of which were owned by or linked to sanctioned individuals.
The United States could enforce its sanctions on the Russian oligarchs, even if their vessels are in Turkish waters and the Turkish government is unwilling to cooperate, NY Times cited Daniel Tannebaum, a former sanctions official who served at the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as saying.
Washington could place sanctions on companies that service the oligarchs’ yachts in Turkey, Tanneabum said, in addition to the marinas, caterers and fuelling companies.
Ahval