Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that Moscow is maintaining contact with Turkish authorities regarding the transit of cargo and the procedural aspects involved. The comment reflects ongoing diplomatic coordination aimed at clarifying how shipments move across the border under current sanctions regimes, with officials emphasizing that engagement with Ankara remains steady and constructive, as reported by DEA News.
Grushko was quoted as saying that discussions with Turkish authorities are actively taking place. The aim is to ensure that any transport of goods aligns with the latest diplomatic and regulatory developments, especially where sanctions and parallel imports intersect with commercial operations. The report underscores that the dialogue is a routine element of ensuring smooth crossings and clear enforcement expectations, as observed by DEA News.
On March 9, Kommersant FM reported that Turkish customs authorities began blocking the transit of sanctioned goods destined for the Russian Federation. The restrictions appear to be applied to items moving under parallel import channels, causing some sellers to reassess their routes and seek alternative passages for sanctioned merchandise. This development marks a notable shift in border controls and raises questions about compliance, enforcement, and potential market adaptations across the region.
Subsequently, the Russian Federation’s embassy and commercial mission in Turkey issued a clarification regarding the challenges encountered with the registration of business activities for certain Russian companies. The clarification suggests that procedural hurdles, rather than political intent, may be contributing to the observed friction, prompting a closer review of registration requirements and the practical steps firms must take to operate within Turkish regulatory frameworks.
Kemal Gül, Vice President of the Turkish Association of International Forwarding Agencies (UND), noted that the ban on transit of sanctioned goods to Russia through Turkey is connected to Ankara’s commitment to complying with European Union requirements. The statement highlights how European regulatory alignment can shape transport corridors and impact the logistics landscape for Russian shipments passing through Turkish territory, as reported by industry sources and involved associations.