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Russia’s oligarchs can do business in Turkey: minister

Superyacht Solaris, owned by the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, which is under UK sanctions, sails towards the luxury yacht marina Porto Montenegro, near Montenegrin city of Tivat, on the Adriatic coast, on March 12, 2022. The owner of the London football club "Chelsea" is among the Russian oligarchs against whom Great Britain imposed sanctions as part of the response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. SAVO PRELEVIC / AFP

Russia’s oligarchs can continue to do business in Turkey so long as they respect national and international law, Agence France-Presse reported, citing Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Saturday.

Interviewed on the sidelines of the Doha Forum in Qatar, Çavuşoğlu was asked if Russian oligarchs facing sanctions from western countries could do business in Turkey.

“Of course, if it is legal, if it is not against international law, I will consider it,” he said.

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

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

Asked about their status, the minister said that Turkey implemented UN-approved sanctions.

The measures targeting the possessions of Russia’s oligarchs were not approved by the UN but by western countries including the United States and the EU member states.

They have imposed unprecedented measures against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including placing oligarchs and other individuals close to Putin on sanctions lists.

Several nations have seized yachts owned by Russia’s richest, as US President Joe Biden vowed that allies are “coming for your ill-begotten gains.”

Abramovich has also been hit with a UK assets 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.

Pressed on whether Russia’s oligarchs could do business in Turkey, Çavuşoğlu replied: “We will allow any legal and legitimate activities and we will not allow any illegal activities in Turkey.”

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

“We have to find a face-saving way out or honorable exit for both sides (that they) can sell publicly and globally,” said Çavuşoğlu of the continuing efforts to get a ceasefire agreement.

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