DOHA (Realist English). Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu welcomes sanctioned Russian oligarchs to his country as tourists and investors, but on condition that any business relations remain within the framework of international law. This is reported by CNBC with reference to the statement of the Head of Turkish diplomacy, which was made on March 26 on the sidelines of the Doha forum.
“We implement U.N.-approved sanctions, so if any Russian citizens want to visit Turkey, of course, they can visit Turkey. Now Russians are coming to visit Turkey, that’s no problem… So if you mean that these oligarchs can do any business in Turkey, then of course if it is legal and it is not against international law, I will consider… If it is against international law then that’s another story.” he said.
Earlier, two yachts arrived in Turkish coastal waters, which reportedly belong to Russian entrepreneur Roman Abramovich. Each of them is estimated at $600 million or more. Çavuşoğlu also did not rule out that Ankara may purchase a new batch of S-400 air defense systems in Russia.
“We prefer to purchase them from the United States, and from our allies. And if we cannot purchase from our allies then I have to find another source… Our region is not a safe haven … so in this case, we are still working on other alternatives… My country is a sovereign country and I have to protect my country and I have to purchase my needs from any possible country.” the Turkish minister explained.
In 2020, the administration of Donald Trump imposed sanctions against Turkey after the acquisition of Russian S-400 systems.
