US warns UAE, Turkey for circumventing sanctions against Russia

Reuters reports this with reference to the statement of US Deputy Treasury Secretary Brian Nelson.

It is noted that a high-ranking official of the US Treasury will visit the Turkish capital Ankara and Istanbul on February 2 or 3, 2023.

He will warn that transactions involving the possible transfer of dual-use technologies that could ultimately be used by the Russian military should be avoided. While in the United Arab Emirates, Nelson will draw attention to the poor compliance with sanctions in the country.

Washington is said to have imposed a series of sanctions against UAE companies for evading Iran-related sanctions, and on Thursday also added an Emirates-based airline to the sanctions list for supporting the Wagner PMC.

“Individuals and institutions operating in permissive jurisdictions risk potentially losing access to G7 markets on account of doing business with sanctioned entities,” Brian Nelson said. 

Reuters added: “Nelson's trip coincides with a period of strained ties between the United States and Turkey as the two NATO allies disagree over a host of issues.”

• A few days earlier, the European Union extended economic sanctions due to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine until July 31, 2023.